School return costs '€400 per child' [IrishTimes]
- Published: 15 July 2011
Families are spending on average €400 per child for returning to school, according to results of research published today.
The study, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU), found the average cost for a second-level student is €470 while it costs €320 to send a child to a primary school.
Uniforms were the most expensive element of the back-to-school bill for most parents, with the cost put at an average of €229. School books cost a further €182.
The survey found almost 90 per cent of parents want to switch to laptops and e-books in the classroom to save cash.
ILCUs chief executive Kieron Brennan said the cost “is considerable and can put significant pressure on household budgets and the ability of some families to pay their essential bills”.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
