The Real Cost of School
Back to School Survey Report
Back to School Costs in Ireland 2025
The Real Cost of School in Ireland 2025 highlights the growing financial pressure on families as they prepare for the new school year. Rising back to school expenses—including school uniforms, classroom supplies, voluntary contributions, and digital learning devices—are making it increasingly difficult for parents to afford education essentials.
Insights from over 830 parents and guardians, representing 497 primary and 333 secondary school students, reveal that many families are struggling to cover basic school costs in Ireland. The burden of school-related expenses is forcing households to cut back on everyday necessities, affecting their overall wellbeing and financial security.
Barnardos Ireland continues to advocate for affordable education and reduced school costs. As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, we are committed to highlighting how school expenses impact families. Our work aims to ensure every child in Ireland has equal access to education—regardless of their financial background.
Key issues identified in 2025 include:
- High cost of school uniforms and shoes
- Increasing reliance on digital devices for secondary school students
- Pressure to pay voluntary school contributions
- Lack of government support for essential school items
- Families cutting back on food, heating, and other essentials to afford school supplies
Barnardos continues to call for policy changes that make education more accessible and affordable for all children in Ireland
I will not pay 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. I will go into debt until March the following year until it's all paid back, then it repeats again in August. My worries are if I can keep this up year after year
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Barnardos Back to School Survey reveals 54% of School Parents are Worried About Costs as Families Turn to Savings, Loans and Cutbacks
Back to School Survey Findings
- Over one quarter of secondary (27%) and 14% primary school parents said they have to use savings in order to meet back to school costs.
- Parents discussed having to go without or cut back on other essentials to meet the costs, while others said they would simply have to forego paying certain other bills
- Half of primary (50%) and 60% secondary school of parents stated they are worried about meeting costs this year. Only one third (34%) of secondary school parents said that costs were manageable.
- Over one quarter of secondary (27%) and 14% primary school parents said they have to use savings in order to meet back to school costs. 15% of secondary and one in ten (8%) of primary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from family and friends to meet school costs.
Barnardos Calls on the Government to:
- Expand eligibility to back to school allowance
- Continue to increase capitation rate to reduce reliance on voluntary contributions and introduce a voluntary fund code of practice
- Reduce the cost of digital devices schools placed on parents
- Continue to promote affordable uniform options