A survey by Barnardos shows parents have to pay out hundreds of euro for children starting secondary school.
Research by the children's charity revealed the average basic cost for a child starting first year in second-level schools was €815.
It also found parents had spent more on school books in 2010 than in 2009.
CEO of Barnardos Fergus Finlay says the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance does not go far enough.



















