Quarter of parents getting into debt to pay for back-to-school costs, survey finds

Parents are spending in the region of €1,086 per child in primary school and €1,401 per child in secondary school, heading into the next academic year.

Over one in four parents get into debt to pay for back-to-school costs, with some families even cutting back on food to cover these expenses.

A survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions has found parents are spending in the region of €1,086 per child in primary school and €1,401 per child in secondary school, heading into the next academic year.

While the free school books’ scheme in primary school has eased the burden on those families, the cost of sending a child to secondary school has actually increased by €113 since last year, according to the survey.

“There is a still an onerous cost burden on parents with increasing levels of associated debt linked to schooling and the cost of living,” said Irish League of Credit Unions chief executive David Malone.

The 2024 research shows that 28%, more than one in four, of parents are taking on debt to cover back-to-school costs, with the average debt amount at €368, which is an increase of €62 on the same figure last year. 

"The issue of debt is significant, and it should be noted that 32% of parents in debt have debts of over €500 to cover these costs.” 

The findings of the back-to-school survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions.

The survey also found almost half (46%) of parents of school children who are struggling to manage costs say they have cancelled or reduced non-essential services or activities to cover rising costs, while almost a quarter said they were trying to earn an additional income.

And, while almost a third of parents say they have sacrificed family holidays to cover back-to-school costs, some 13% say they have also had to reduce their spend on food to cover the expenses. 

Mr Malone said one in five parents use a credit card to cover costs, and this can lead to the accumulation of debt for some.

Elsewhere in the survey, more than half of parents feel pressured to buy branded clothing, footwear, and other items for their children, while two in three say that schools do not do enough to help keep the costs of going back to school down.

Parents cited the cost of school lunches, uniforms, and school trips and activities as the main drivers of increased back-to-school costs.

It comes as the Government faces calls to provide further supports to parents and children in the upcoming budget, including with essential back-to-school costs.

In its pre-budget submission, children’s charity Barnardos urged the Government to keep up the momentum and extend free school books for all those in secondary schools.

“In addition, further steps need to be taken to eliminate voluntary contributions and ensure schools don’t burden families with costs of digital devices,” it said.

Back-to-School Allowance

Meanwhile, the Back-to-School Allowance and the Footwear Allowance will see payments of more than €47.5m made in respect of more than 223,000 children from this week, supporting families around the country.

The latest payments come on top of the likes of the school books scheme at primary level and the hot meals programme in attempts from the Government to ease the costs of education on families.

"The costs associated with children both starting and returning to school can put a lot of financial pressure on families throughout the country," said Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. "I would urge anybody who has not yet applied to check their eligibility for the scheme."

The closing date to apply for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is September 30, 2024.