‘We won't have enough money for it' – Struggling Irish families prepare to ‘go into debt' to cover back to school costs

The Irish Sun

06-08-2025

Parents discussed having to go without or cut back on other essentials to meet the costs
CHILD'S PAY 'We won't have enough money for it' – Struggling Irish families prepare to 'go into debt' to cover back to school costs
MORE than a quarter of parents have to use their savings to help cover ­education costs for kids with many having to go into debt, a new report reveals.
A study from children's charity Barnardos found that 27 per cent of ­secondary school parents have turned to rainy day funds to help meet financial demands.
2
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly has called to the Government to 'reduce costs for parents'
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
A further 14 per cent of people with primary school kids admitted to using savings out of desperation.
Parents discussed having to go without or cut back on other essentials to meet the costs.
Others said they would have to forego paying certain utility bills.
The survey received 830 responses, covering costs for 497 primary and 333 secondary school students.
The 2025 report is based on an online survey of parents about school essentials.
It found that half of primary and 60 per cent of secondary school parents are worried about meeting fees and expenses this year. Only 34 per cent of secondary school parents said that costs were manageable.
Over one quarter of secondary — 27 per cent — and 14 per cent of primary school parents said they have to use savings in order to meet back to school costs.
Worryingly, 15 per cent of secondary and eight per cent of primary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from family and friends to meet financial costs.
One under pressure parent admitted: 'I will not pay my 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.
Martin vows to do 'everything we can' to reduce pressure on families ahead of Budget 2026
"I will go into debt until March the following year until it is all paid back, then it repeats again in August.'
Others agreed: 'Everything has gone so expensive, I'm going to have to skip paying some bills to be able to afford everything.
'I juggle finances all of the time. I worry that I will not be able to ­afford utility bills in September and October to cover school costs.
'We won't have enough money for all of it. I can't afford the costs for my kids.'
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly warned: '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.'