'Back to school' signs create significant pressure for majority of Irish families

According to a new survey commissioned by the Irish League of Credit Unions, the majority of Irish families consider the cost of preparing their child for the upcoming school year a major financial burden.

As a result of this, many parents are turning to the internet to purchase school necessities in the hopes of securing a bargain.

With families splashing between €166 and €258 on uniforms, parents are now shopping online in a bid to relieve the financial pressure, but many still find themselves in debt when attempting to cover 'back to school' costs.

In addition to expenditure on uniforms, Irish families are also feeling the pinch when it comes to providing their child with the required school books, with outlay falling between €112 and €213.

The study also indicated that a significant percentage of a family's 'back to school' budget was earmarked for school lunches, with Irish parents spending between €116 and €147 per child.

According to Ed Farrell, the Irish League of Credit Union boss, many families find themselves sacrificing household necessities or recreational activities in order to cover the costs associated with returning a child to the classroom in September.

29% of families report a negative impact on household bill payments while 16% admit to curtailing expenditure on food in order to meet the annual costs.

Advising parents to shop wisely in the lead-up to the new school year, Mr. Farrell said: "We would urge parents to shop around for the best value in 'back to school' items, like school books and uniforms."

The survey indicates that almost one-third of Irish parents find themselves in debt as a result of these annual outgoings.