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Parents are spending €1,399 getting their child ready to go back to secondary school

Parents of primary school students are paying €50 less than last year, while parents of secondary school students are paying €20 more.

THERE’S BEEN AN increase in the number of parents who say that the cost of Back to School is a financial burden, from 67% in 2018 to 78% in 2019.

Parents are spending an average of €1,399 per child in getting them ready for secondary school. This is up €20 on the €1,379 being spent last year.

Parents of primary school children are however spending less; €949 this year compared to €999 last year. Among the parents of secondary school children, 83% say the back-to-school spend is a financial burden compared with 77% of parents at primary level.

The findings were revealed in a national survey of 882 parents of school children (out of a sample size of 2,338) by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU). The survey was carried out by independent market research company iReach Insights in June 2019.

While the numbers in debt over back-to-school costs remains steady at over a third (36%), parents appear to be more prudent with the debt they are running up. The average debt this year is €322 compared with €405 in 2018, a reduction of €83.

image005 ILCU ILCU

Looking at this in more detail, parents of primary school children say their average back-to-school related debt is €274, down from €367 in 2018. At second level, parents say their average debt is €357, down from €443 last year.

Of those parents in debt, almost a quarter (24%) say they have turned to a moneylender. While this figure is worrying, it is a 3% drop since last year. The average amount borrowed from moneylenders has also fallen slightly from €450 last year, to €439 this year.

image006 ILCU ILCU

Costs continue to be parents’ main concern at back to school time. Half of parents say it’s their biggest worry, up 4% on last year. One third (33%) say they will be forced to deny their children certain school items because they can’t afford them. This is up from 31% last year.

To manage their finances, 68% will cut out extracurricular activities and 30% won’t spend on school trips. Another 29% say new gym gear will get the cut while, for 22%, new shoes will be off the school list. This last item however is down considerably from the 42% in 2018.

An increasing number of parents say they are under pressure to buy branded goods. Overall, 54% said they were feeling this pressure, compared with 43% last year.

Paul Bailey, head of communications at ICLU said, “We are calling on the government to take more affirmative action to tackle the rising costs of sending children back to school. The recommendations outlined in the Joint Committee on Education and Skill’s report, if taken on board, will go a long way to easing this annual burden on parents.”

The most expensive item at second level was again books, coming in at €220 compared with €200 last year. Uniforms/clothing was next on the list at €200, up from €179 last year. School trips are set to cost parents €190 this year, compared with €159 last year.

Almost three quarters of parents (74%) say schools are not doing enough to keep costs down, which is up from 69% last year. Considerably more secondary school parents (80%) than primary school parents (70%) feel this way.

When asked how schools could do more to help parents, 37% said reducing the price of books or introducing a book rental scheme. 21% said the option of generic uniforms or even free uniforms would help.

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48 Comments
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    Mute Motherofthree
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:19 AM

    I can’t see how tgis is the average. Last year was my most expensive year for school as my son needed an iPad. I probably spent somewhere in the region of 1200.
    This year even though he’s growing at a rate of knots he doesn’t need a whole new uniform, there are minimal book costs, bought shoes in the Clarks sale. So total cost will be 200 to 300 euro. I just don’t understand how these average costs are put together unless kids are changing school every year. There is also always access to a load of second hand uniforms.

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:24 AM

    @Motherofthree: Agreed – I’ve never spent anything near that. Book rental scheme and uniforms – even with the ‘voluntary’ contribution it comes in at €500ish

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    Mute Trevor Connolly
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:33 AM

    @Motherofthree: these figures are always over exaggerated .

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:13 AM

    @Trevor Connolly: 100%. Look at how they’re putting in the costs of things like lunches and after school children care. Wouldn’t you be feeding the kids and paying for childcare anyway, even if they’re not in school?

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    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:19 AM

    @Motherofthree: journal………….per term, too much to ask you get it right.

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    Mute Morgan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:35 AM

    @Motherofthree: In my experience, I would not say “always access to a load of second hand uniforms”. That was *not* an option when I was in school, you had to buy a new uniform whether you liked it or not. There was no network of parents to coordinate second hand uniforms, nothing the uniform shops could recommend, nor even online. It is different for everyone.

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    Mute Matthew Handibode
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    Jul 16th 2019, 10:44 AM

    @Motherofthree: “needed an ipad” Schools legally have to provide any electronic equipment needed for a class. What you meant to say was your son “wanted” an ipad

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    Mute Noel O Sullivan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:38 AM

    Buying school uniform is not a cost as it saves buying other clothes

    142
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    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:08 AM

    @Noel O Sullivan: yeah but you obviously don’t have a teen, like they don’t want any other clothes, the uniform will do … depending on if your rural or not Transport costs such as rural busses cost a fortune. The headline does not match the survey. cost perm term is the survey.

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    Mute KJ Staunton
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:52 AM

    Luckily parents receive €1,680 in child benefit per year for each child, that more than covers the expenses for their education with a bit left over.

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:39 AM

    More like the average would be a €10 a week . A first class education in a peaceful country , what’s not to like. People on low incomes will get most of those items free.

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    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    @Aine O Connor: obviously not living in rural Ireland , a school bus for 10 a week, don’t think so. besides the survey was on a term… it cost on average 1.399 per temp , headline, no surprise is wrong…

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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:32 AM

    What is the children’s allowance money for. Also if the kids were given a proper lunch instead of giving them money to go to McDonalds or Burger King, it would save parents thousands

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    Mute Lorna McC
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:52 AM

    The title of this article is misleading, as the infographic includes things such as extra-curricular activities, transport to school, school lunches etc. which cover the whole year and are more than likely payable on a daily, weekly or per term basis.

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    Mute Morgan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:24 AM

    @Lorna McC: My thoughts exactly! As you say its misleading to say this covers a whole year? School Lunches: €134 a year, €11.16 a month, €2.79 a week? It doesn’t seem right

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:49 AM

    @Lorna McC: It’s almost as if feeding and clothing a child is an unexpected expense.

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    Mute Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    Ah the annual Journal post , which is, of course, wildly inaccurate.

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    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:46 AM

    @Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: unreal and all these people here obviously did not bother to read it and their posts based simply on the inaccurate headline.

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:13 AM

    @Daithi Ó Raghallaigh: the inaccurate headline is called clickbait

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    Mute Gavin R
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    Jul 16th 2019, 6:44 AM

    €600 for an ipad for my daughter going to secondary, but if it saves their back from permanent damage well hey, I lifted my 9 yo bag I thought there was rocks in it.

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    Mute Motherofthree
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:13 AM

    @Gavin R: I got my son an ipad last year and although it cost a lot in first year we have very little to pay this year.

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    Mute TheFreeSpeechParty
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:49 AM

    @Gavin R: all so she can play candy crush Saga in class, nice wan Gav you’re a sound Dad!

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    Mute Renton Burke
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:54 AM

    @TheFreeSpeechParty: you have to pay €100 to the supplier to lock down the apps as well, so no useful apps, never mind games and social media. Can we also mention that the credit union are part of this cost, with offering a 12% interest loan to parents who can’t afford up front costs. How they justify that is beyond me.

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:01 AM

    @TheFreeSpeechParty: you’ve obviously no kids and don’t understand how the tablets are locked down. Well done you’d be a great dad

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    Mute Ed
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    Jul 16th 2019, 12:41 PM

    @Gavin R: How did all the students through history survive lifting school bags?

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    Mute Charles McGuire
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    Jul 16th 2019, 2:39 PM

    @Gavin R: There is a thing called a locker room, if she still has too much to carry then get her a roller bag, jesus, I swear people look for any excuse to get something thats more a luxury than a necessity, it is ok to buy her an ipad because she wants one.

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    Mute Ciarán Kelly
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    Jul 18th 2019, 10:10 AM

    @Renton Burke: what’s the name of the company charging 100 to lock the iPad down?

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:47 AM

    The figures are nonsense. Afterschool care is a childminding fee that working parents will pay whether they’re child is at school or not. If anything it’s less during the school year. School trips and extracurricular activities are not “back to school” expenses, they’re spread out over the course of the year. As for lunches and uniforms, if the child were at home they would have to be fed and clothed anyway. All primary schools are obliged to have book rental schemes and these greatly reduce the cost of resources.

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:20 AM

    Wasn’t this survey based on Credit union loans taken out? I bet no one added a few hundred to their loan application for a phone or tv…

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:10 AM

    With my son heading to TY and (finally) no significant growth spurt we might get by with 100 Euro on the necesaary few books/supplies and trousers. Does not need shoes (for once) or a new school coat and we pay the voluntary contribution monthly which helps lower the overall costs in the summer as well.
    I do wish more secondary schools had book rental schemes, the costs in 1st year and 5th year are rough with all the books required.

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    Mute Morgan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    After leaving secondary school 5 years ago, shortly after is when you appreciate the money parents put into their child going back to school. I am one of four children who, yes, were all in school at the same time once – from Primary to Secondary. I cannot fathom how my parents afforded it all. There was no “second hand” anything for the school I went to – no books, no uniforms, no schemes, nothing. I didn’t get an iPad as we couldn’t afford it and then pay separately for the books onto it (this was just introduced when I was there) so a hefty school bag it was. My parent would easily have to fork up €1300, minimum. We never did extracurricular activities, never stayed in after-school care, never got the school bus and it was still a ridiculous amount of money my parents had to pay per child! I’m not singling out myself, just the experience as I’m sure parent of kids who are in their 20s/30s *may* have had to do the same.

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    Mute El_Duderino
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    Jul 16th 2019, 11:06 AM

    I see Lidl or Aldi advertising uniforms from €5, and Dunnes (I think) advertising skirts/trousers from €5. Even if it works out at €10 and you buy two uniforms every year I can’t see how the full uniform spend would be even €100.

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    Mute Morgan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 2:14 PM

    @El_Duderino: That applies only if your child attends a school that doesn’t have a crest on the jumper or a specific pattern on the skirt. My school used to have a plain grey skirt, yet as so many shops were selling different shades, the school got fed up and told parents you *have* to buy them from one specific supplier. Primary school uniforms are understandably somewhat cheaper than the secondary schools. I just priced my secondary school’s current uniform and its totaling €120, minus the €57 jacket. Not to mention the change in jumpers and blouses once they reach a particular year. So you may not spend even €100, but there are other parents who have to.

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    Mute Peter Buchanan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 12:03 PM

    If you can’t afford kids, don’t expect the taxpayers to pick up all your bills. “think not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”

    22
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    Mute Ann Lennon
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    Jul 16th 2019, 10:33 AM

    To all teachers board of management members wake up and get rid of the crests off uniforms.
    Teachers want equal pay smaller classes more money
    Parents want lower school costs anew board of management will be formed in all schools this November I urge all parents to run for it who actually force the chair and principals to listen to the parents.
    Parents no longer need yes men and women on boards we need people who fight to get rid of ridiculous costs to parents

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    Mute richard brogan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:48 AM

    Parents should not have to buy anything for school. It should be a subsidised by the government like England,Scotland and Wales.

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    Mute Liam H
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:53 AM

    @richard brogan:

    There’s a big difference between getting everything for nothing and having something subsidized.

    If people pay something towards the cost, they value it more.

    Schools aren’t funded well enough in this country – as evidenced by the increasing prevalence of the “voluntary contribution”.
    Sports facilities and science facilities in most of our schools are appalling.

    38
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    Mute richard brogan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:59 AM

    @Liam H: believe me I know schools are not funded enough. But with the amount of taxes prsi ,house tax and more we pay surely the government can pay this. But we’re Irish and the government know we will always pay and say nothing.

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:14 AM

    @richard brogan: there’s a story about water a little further up. Have a think about that whole issue, and then have a think again about what you’re saying here.

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    Mute richard brogan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 8:29 AM

    @Jumperoo: I’ll give you that one. But I still think school should be free.

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    Mute Peter Buchanan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 12:05 PM

    @richard brogan: the government finances nothing, it is taxpayers who fund everything

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jul 16th 2019, 2:58 PM

    Load of nonsense. No way does it for 1,400 to sent a child to secondary school.

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    Mute Barry Zuckerkorn
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    Jul 16th 2019, 10:04 AM

    Some free education system we have in this country..smh

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    Mute Dan Mannix
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    Jul 17th 2019, 6:29 AM

    Whats the issue here exactly? I personally can’t wait to get my 3 kids to school and out of creche where i spend nearly 3K per MONTH on fees for 4 days of care… these back to school costs are a pittance in comparison!

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    Mute Patti o furniture
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    Jul 16th 2019, 11:03 AM

    And add on the price of a school trip to Germany too..

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    Mute nora boyle
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    Jul 16th 2019, 7:12 PM

    There is an underlying agenda to have all Christian symbolism removed from school uniforms. There’s no reason why uniforms can’t be passed on second hand rather than the generic communist look.

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    Mute Zmeevo Libe
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    Jul 16th 2019, 9:16 PM

    @nora boyle: Hahaha! My school uniform was a “generic communist look”, it having been a socialist country. We had a crest with the name of the school which we had to stitch onto jumpers, coat etc. It was a lot cheaper than getting uniforms from “unique supplier”. Or does your religious belief prohibit such a solution?

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Jul 17th 2019, 8:33 AM

    IT devices should not be compulsory.
    School uniforms and badges increase a “clanish” mentality that should be banned. Books should be the school property and lent to the student, responsible for the good condition and billed only if given back in bad condition. Voluntary fee is not compulsory fee and abuse should be reported.. we are now far away of such horrendous amount of money.

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