4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Back-to-school costs hitting Louth parents hard with uniforms one of the biggest burdens
While there's financial relief on offer through the national Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, intended to ease the load, it doesn't stretch nearly far enough. In 2025, families of children aged 4–11 receive €160, and those with secondary-level students aged 12 and over receive €285. Deputy Paula Butterly (FG) has confirmed that nearly 4,695 families in Louth will qualify for the scheme, with the bulk of payments being made automatically during the week beginning July 14. But few parents believe this goes far enough.
Back-to-school season is well underway, and with school costs continuing to rise, parents are increasingly facing an anxiety-inducing end to summer. According to a recent survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions, one in three parents are now taking out loans to make ends meet, while children's welfare charity Barnardos found that many are regularly dipping into savings and sacrificing elsewhere just to ensure their children have what they need for the new school year.
Nationwide data paints a troubling picture: average back-to-school costs now stand at €1,450 for primary school children and €1,560 for secondary school students, a year-on-year rise of approximately €350. With one in three families dipping into debt to make ends meet, the financial strain is real—so real that Labour has demanded a €100 increase in the clothing and footwear allowance and universal access to it, along with a raft of other measures including free school transport and the abolition of exam fees.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) recently advised schools to avoid tying parents to specific branded uniform retailers. They urged the adoption of generic uniform options and competitive supply arrangements to help lower costs and increase choice.
Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú (Sinn Féin), TD for Louth, echoed these concerns, urging national policymakers to curb the escalating financial burden. 'Many families are under immense pressure when it comes to back-to-school expenses,' he stated, calling for generic uniforms, free schoolbooks, and an end to 'voluntary contributions', all backed by increased core funding for schools.
For Louth's parents, the return to school means more than buying uniforms, it's about managing budgets, exploring aid options, and hoping the system responds. With political pressure mounting and watchdogs urging change, there's growing momentum for a fairer approach to education costs.
