As parents scrimp together the costs of getting their children back to school there is a warning that the bills will keep coming throughout the year.
Two surveys this week – by Barnardos and the National Consumer Agency – have indicated that stretched household incomes are making it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of the new school term.
The NCA is putting the average costs of books, uniforms, stationary and P.E. kits at just under 500 euro per child at primary school and just over 600 euro per secondary school student.
In the wake of the surveys Fianna Fail spokesperson in Education Charlie McConalogue has called on the Government to guarantee that all families entitled to the Back to School Allowance receive the payment in advance of the new school term.
And the Donegal Deputy is also called for the greater use of technology in schools to cut down on the cost of books:
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