Parents getting into debt over back to school bill

ONE in three parents are now getting into debt to cover back to school costs, a new study shows.

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

The research, conducted by the Irish League of Credit Unions also reveals there is a rise in mums and dads sacrificing day-to-day household costs when compared to previous years.

The total Back to School spend in 2025 is €1,450 for primary school parents and €1,560 for secondary school ones.

This is an increase for primary school parents of €364 compared to 2024, and €159 for secondary school parents.

The ILCU annual Back to School survey, published today, tracks the costs and impacts of children returning to school as well as broader cost of living factors.

A total of 729 parents responded to the survey which was conducted by i-Reach in June.

The research has found that one in three parents now say that they get into debt covering back to school costs, and the average amount in 2025 is €376 compared to a quarter in 2024, taking on an average of €368 of debt.

Over a third of parents say that they are forced to deny their children at least one back to school item.

After-school-care is the top expense for primary school at €197, and overall 61% of parents believe that schools don't do enough to help keep the costs of going back to school down.