Back to school bill hits €400 per child [IrishTimes]
- Published: 16 July 2011
FAMILIES ARE paying on average €400 per child during the costly back-to-school period, according to research published yesterday.
The study, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions 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 estimated to be €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.
The league’s chief executive Kieron Brennan said that the cost “is considerable” and can put significant pressure on households and the ability of some families to pay essential bills.
The survey, carried out last month among 1,000 people, found that 46 per cent of parents were able to use their monthly income to source back-to-school necessities.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
