A survey by children's charity Barnardo's suggests that many parents are worried about meeting back-to-school expenses because of increases in the cost of living.
The research found that the average cost for a returning fourth class pupil is €320.
The cost for a pupil going into first year secondary school is €972.
The survey found that 24% of parents of secondary school children said they had to take out a loan or borrow from friends to meet back-to-school costs.
Those costs relate to uniforms, voluntary contributions, digital tools, and for secondary school students the cost of books.
However, this September all primary school students can avail of free books and copy books, a move announced last year in the Budget, which Barnardo's described as a momentous step that directly correlates to a reduction in costs at primary level.
The charity is calling for the free book scheme to be extended to secondary schools; the ending of so-called voluntary contributions; a once-off €100 increase in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to be maintained and criteria to avail of the allowance to be loosened; child benefit to be maintained for 18-year-olds still in second level school; and for all schools to have an option of a low-cost uniform.
Over 1,100 parents and guardians took part in the Barnardo's online survey between 19 June and 10 July; 629 were parents of secondary school students and 519 were parents of primary school.
At primary level, 50% of parents said they are worried about meeting costs this year with 35% saying general cost-of-living increases made it more difficult to afford back-to-school costs.
However 49% of primary parents said costs are manageable but 14% said they are very concerned about meeting costs, and 2% said they will not be able to do so.
Cost worries increase when it comes to secondary schooling. Of those surveyed, 66% of secondary school parents said they are worried about meeting costs this year, with 48% saying cost-of-living increases made things more difficult. Just 26% of second-level parents said costs are manageable and 7% said they will not be able to meet those costs.
The survey found that many parents are unhappy with school uniform policies and the requirement for crested uniforms, coats and even tracksuits.
Parents are 'frustrated and exasperated that they still have to pay for crested and branded uniforms' despite guidance to schools from the Department of Education in 2017 to reduce the cost of uniforms, Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly has said | Read more: https://t.co/nUlVOBzTyi pic.twitter.com/OET8njssn4
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 2, 2023
Barnardo's pointed out that the Department of Education issued a circular to schools in 2017 saying that schools should reduce uniform costs by opting for iron-on or sew-on crests and allow for generic rather than branded uniforms. The charity said too many schools have failed to implement these measures.
Parents also expressed frustration in the survey over voluntary contributions sought by schools every year to help with running costs.
Three quarters of parents said their schools sought the contribution which averages at €101 at primary level and €143 at secondary level.
Of those surveyed, 67% of parents stated they did not feel it is voluntary at all, with many parents saying they feel compelled to pay it and are chased up by their schools if they do not.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Barnardos Chief Executive Suzanne Connolly said that parents are stressed and worried as they feel an onus or expectation to pay the voluntary contributions, particularly with the cost of living pressure.
"We just think the voluntary contributions are an extra burden that should not be there," she said.
"A country that's as wealthy as Ireland should really make free education a reality."
Many parents also said the thresholds for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance should be lowered to allow them to benefit from the payment which amounts to €260 for a child under 11, and €385 for older children.
This year the Government has added a once-off €100 increase. The allowance is currently payable to low-income families.
Numerous parents also raised the fact that Child Benefit ends when pupils reach 18 years of age, even though they are still in second-level education, resulting in a "substantial hit" to their finances and their ability to meet back-to-school costs.
Secondary parents also expressed frustration about the cost of books and the constant updating of texts meaning books cannot be passed on.
Concerns were also expressed about the cost of digital subscriptions for course material, and digital tools including costly tablet computers.
