School’s in, bank account's out

More than half of Irish parents are worried about the cost of sending their children back to school this year, according to a new report.

The Back to School Survey 2025, published rececently by Barnardos children’s charity shows that families are relying on savings, loans, and making cutbacks to afford uniforms, voluntary contributions, and the rising cost of digital devices.

The survey found that 50% of primary school parents and 60% of secondary school parents are concerned about managing this year’s school costs.

Savings, loans, and cutbacks

Over a quarter (27%) of secondary school parents and 14% of primary school parents said they are dipping into savings to meet the costs. Around 15% of secondary and 8% of primary parents reported having to borrow from family, friends, or take out loans.

Many parents said they are forced to cut back on essential items or skip bills altogether.

“I will not pay gas and electric bill in August, I will borrow a loan and use instalments to get as much as I can for back to school items. I will go into debt until March the following year until it's all paid back, then it repeats again in August. My worries are if I can keep this up year after year,” shared one secondary school parent.

Voluntary contributions not feeling ‘voluntary’

Barnardos found that 78% of primary and 84% of secondary school parents were asked for a voluntary contribution by schools. The average amount requested was €87 in primary and €133 in secondary. However, 73% of primary and 78% of secondary parents said the contribution did not feel voluntary.

“We have four school-age children, cost is a lot. And pressure to pay voluntary contributions on top of it all is a lot,” said another secondary school parent.

“When school starts I’ve paid over a thousand euro for everything. But then in the first few weeks, letters sent home asking for €20 euro for a locker, €20 euro for a lock, €25 euro for insurance. It just never ends,” added another parent.

Uniform costs still high

Uniforms continue to put financial pressure on families. Parents reported spending large sums on branded and specific school items.

“She grew so quickly over the last year I ran out of uniforms that fit and couldn’t get them towards the end of the school year (from February they were too small). I need to buy sizes for now and sizes bigger but the cost is crippling,” said a primary school parent.

Digital devices add new burden

Half of secondary school parents said their school asked them to buy digital devices for their child. The average cost was €430.

“My son is going into 5th year, this was the first time we were entitled to free school books, but then we were called to a meeting in the school where they advised that we would have to buy a Chromebook for our child which cost €500...” said a secondary school parent.

Barnardos has been campaigning for more than 20 years to reduce back-to-school costs and lessen the burden on families. CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “No parent should face additional stress and financial pressure to ensure their child has all they need to start back to school. The Government has reduced some expenses but there is an opportunity for them and schools individually to do more to reduce costs for parents. Because childhood lasts a lifetime.”

Barnardos is urging schools and the Government to find more ways to reduce financial pressure on families — especially as inflation and cost-of-living issues continue to rise.

The 2025 Back to School Survey received 830 responses from parents, covering 497 primary and 333 secondary students. It was open from 1-29 July and shared online and through Barnardos’ email lists.