One primary school year costs nearly €600 - Survey

The new school year, underway last month marks the beginning of a 13-year spending spree by parents for primary and secondary education, according to the results of research announced by Hibernian Life & Pensions today.

The research shows that, on average, the non-fee cost which parents will face for their children’s education in 2006 is €579 for a child in primary school and €970 for a child in secondary school.

For those parents whose children continue education at third level, the non-fee cost is estimated to be around €4,626 on average per student per annum.

Based on this research the cost to parents of supporting a child in full-time education, will equal €27,986 by the time they graduate.

The costs were estimated by parents, based on the common items they need to purchase for their schoolgoing children such as shirts/blouses, trousers, skirts, shoes, jumpers and books.