The findings of the latest Barnardos “Back to School” survey are deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins said:
“More than half of parents in Ireland are worried about the costs associated with returning to school, with many turning to savings, loans, and significant cutbacks in order to meet these expenses.
“Today’s figures highlight a systemic failure to deliver on the promise of free education in Ireland – families should not be forced to make impossible financial choices in order to equip their children for the school year.
“The fact that 27% of secondary school parents and 14% of primary school parents have had to dip into savings, and that a further 15%and 8% respectively have taken on debt, underlines the scale of the crisis facing ordinary households.
“This is not a new problem, but one that is worsening year on year – the government’s measures to reduce school costs have been inadequate and lack the reach needed to support those most under pressure.
“While the introduction of free schoolbooks at primary level was a welcome step, it falls far short of addressing the broader burden of costs that continue to weigh heavily on families – covering the costs of tablets for secondary school students is an additional expense that many parents can’t afford.
“The free schoolbooks scheme should be expanded to cover this sort of equipment.
“There must also be an urgent review and expansion of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance – this support must reflect the actual costs families face and must be made more widely available to include low- and middle-income households who are currently excluded.
“Uniform costs must be addressed by allowing schools to adopt more affordable, generic clothing policies – the current requirement for branded items significantly increases the financial burden on families at a time when every euro counts.
“Government must also provide sufficient direct funding to schools so that so-called “voluntary contributions” are no longer necessary, as they have become de facto mandatory payments for many parents – this is a scandal.
“Education is a constitutional right, not a privilege for those who can afford it – the continued failure to address the real costs of schooling undermines that right.”
August 6th, 2025