August 2018 Issue 8 - Volume 19
PIZZA • BURGERS • FISH & CHIPS • KEBABS PICK UP YOUR NEW LOYALTY CARD INSTORE!
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TEENS ATTEND MAYNOOTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
BIG CROWDS ATTENDING KNOCK NOVENA
Back-to-school blues for many parents Prizewinning birds in Bonniconlon
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DRUMSHANBO, CO LEITRIM For Bookings or enquiries contact reservations on 071-9640100 www.loughallenhotel.com Bonniconlon Show is now Ireland's second most-popular show in the nation's summer calendar, attracting entrants from across the 32 counties to compete in all it's show categories. Under it's show committee poultry co-ordinator Ray Devine, it continues to attract Ireland's outstanding poultry breeders with the nation's finest poultry specimens on show. It was a special day for Grange Co Sligo's Eamonn Mullarkey and his daughter Emma after winning both the Show's Champion and Reserve Champion Waterfowl titles. Pictured with Eamonn and Emma and their successful waterfowl champions is Poultry Judge Paul Beatty, Co Tyrone. Picture Henry Wills.
A
FTER a virtually unprecedented heatwave enjoyed by parents and children it’s back-to-school time throughout the north-west it’s back to reality for many parents who face the prospect of massive hikes in back-to-school costs. According the children’s charity, Barnardos, more parents are being forced to borrow to cover expenses such as the voluntary contribution to their child's school, uniforms and books. Back-to-school costs are running well above the rate of inflation, despite a pledge by Education Minister Richard Bruton to ease this trend. According to Barnardos sending a first-year pupil to post-primary school will require a basic cost of €765 euro next month, while it is €380 for a fourth-class primary pupil and €360 for a senior infants' pupil. Overall, average back-to-school costs rose by between 3pc and 9pc on last year, well ahead of the consumer price index (CPI), which was up 0.4pc in the 12 months to June. When it comes to clothing and footwear the gap was even wider with parents facing increased costs of up to 22pc, despite a drop in the year-on-year rate of inflation for this spending category. The average cost of a secondlevel uniform is now €200. In addition, 53pc of primary school parents and 54pc of post-primary school parents reported an increase in book costs this year. More schools are also seeking a voluntary contribution from parents to help pay for day-today running costs, a trend probably linked to the austerity era cuts in State grants that have not been restored. Continued on Page 2
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