Irish Households Struggling to Pay Children’s Education

The price of school bags, school books and school uniforms are making the return to an expensive annual event for families. (photos.com)

A recent study by Barnardos found that Irish households are under increasing pressure to pay for costs of sending their children to school.

Barnardos has been carrying out this survey for the past seven years, and every year it shows that parents complain about the high costs. This year, however, was worse then usual. 

“Many parents are being forced to make very difficult choices and many are getting into debt to pay for uniforms, books, and other education expenses,” Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos, stated in a recent press release.

The survey collected answers from 987 parents throughout Ireland. It found that while costs in most cases have been lower than the years before, the income reductions in many households are making it harder and harder for parents to pay for their children’s education. Also, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was reduced by 50 euro for primary school children and 55 euro for secondary school children.

According to the survey, sending a child to school costs parents on average 355 euro for senior infants, 390 euro in 4th class in primary school and 770 euro in first year in secondary school.