The Real Cost of School in 2024 - Back to School Survey (Report)
Loading...
Author
Barnardos
Date
2024
Type
Report
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
For 20 years, Barnardos has highlighted the costs incurred by parents in preparing their children to return to school each September, reporting on the pressures parents are directly experiencing in providing for back to school costs.
Although the Irish Constitution guarantees all children have a right to free education in Ireland, this has never truly been the case. In Budget 2023, the Government took a progressive step towards making it a reality by providing free schoolbooks to all primary school students and the junior cycle in secondary school. However, despite this development, school expenses remain high for many parents, with some finding themselves in financial distress each summer as they try to meet back to school costs.
It is important the Government continues the positive momentum and builds on recent actions to provide a truly free education to all children in Ireland. Barnardos calls on the government to prioritise these five steps:
1. Extend free schoolbooks to all children in the senior cycle
2. Mandate all schools have an affordable uniform option
3. Increase back to school allowance increase and expand eligibility
4. Increase capitation rate and end voluntary contributions
5. Reduce the cost of digital devices schools place on parents
Description
Report
Citation
Barnardos. (2024). The Real Cost of School in 2024 - Back to School Survey (Report). https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13085/1343
Publisher
Barnardos