Dublin: With the new school year fast approaching, many parents across Ireland are facing growing financial pressure as the cost of preparing children for school continues to rise. A new survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has found that more than one in four families expect to fall into debt because of school-related expenses.
While the number of parents borrowing to meet school costs has declined slightly, the average level of debt has increased, highlighting the continuing strain on household finances.
School costs remain a major financial burden
According to the survey:
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59% of parents said school expenses place a significant financial burden on their families.
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63% reported that the cost of school uniforms has increased.
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Parents also identified rising costs for school supplies, branded sportswear, lockers, books, and other essential items as adding to the financial pressure.
The survey found that parents of secondary school students face considerably higher costs than those with children in primary school.
Estimated annual costs include:
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Primary school: €1,607
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€623 for back-to-school preparation.
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€984 in ongoing school-related expenses.
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Secondary school: €2,142
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€1,115 for preparation costs.
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€1,027 in ongoing expenses throughout the academic year.
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Although some individual costs have fallen, 48% of parents believe overall school expenses are higher than last year.
School uniforms continue to be one of the biggest financial challenges for families.
The survey found:
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Branded or crested uniform items cost around 40% more than standard alternatives.
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39% of parents reported increased costs for school trips.
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57% said their children often insist on branded clothing, footwear, and accessories, adding further pressure to household budgets.
Only 15% of parents have access to second-hand uniforms, while 43% said their schools do not offer affordable alternatives such as second-hand uniform schemes or supermarket-approved options.
The burden is particularly significant for parents of secondary school students:
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51% must purchase uniforms from designated suppliers.
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By comparison, only 34% of primary school parents face similar restrictions.
Concerns over voluntary school contributions
The survey also found growing concern about voluntary school contributions requested by schools.
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81% of parents said they were concerned about these contributions, up from 78% in 2025.
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Only 18% believe schools are doing enough to reduce costs.
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54% said schools are not taking sufficient steps to make education more affordable.
More families relying on debt
Despite some improvement in the number of parents borrowing to cover school expenses, 27% still expect to go into debt this year.
The average debt linked to school costs has risen to €430, an increase of €54 compared with last year.
Parents are using a variety of methods to cover expenses:
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70% pay using cash.
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37% rely on savings.
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18% use credit cards.
Credit unions urge continued support
ILCU Chief Executive David Malone said the findings demonstrate the continuing financial pressure faced by families each year as schools reopen.
He acknowledged that initiatives such as free school textbooks and school meals have helped reduce some costs but stressed that the overall financial burden of education remains significant.
Malone noted that while fewer parents are falling into debt than in previous years, those who do are borrowing larger amounts, underscoring the need for continued measures to ease the cost of education for families.
Irish Samachar English