Calls for increased back to school supports in budget 2023

Barnardos is calling on the government to use the Budget to provide relief for parents who are struggling with back to school costs.

The charity's Back To School survey for 2022 has found the basic cost of sending a child to school remains substantial across primary and secondary level.

The average cost of the basics needed for a fourth class primary pupil is 424 euro while 814 euro is needed for a first year student in a post primary school.

Sarah is a mother of four and outlines some of the main costs she faces this September:

Our book rental is €80 per child.

We still have to provide all of the stationary on top of that and we have voluntary contributions after that.

But coming from a rural area, its the cost of transport.