Saving for children’s education urged

PARENTS have been urged to start saving for their children’s third level education after a survey showed that almost a third of them have no financial plans in place.

The survey of 1,000 people also found that most parents with children under 18 do not have any realistic idea of the cost of putting a student through third level education away from home.

The living expenses associated with a four-year university course can be up to €60,000. This could rise dramatically if an OECD review of Irish third level education due to be completed this summer proposes the reintroduction of tuition fees for some or all students.