Children’s charity Barnardos wants an end to ‘voluntary’ contributions to help ease the pressure of back-to-school costs on families.

The charity also urged Government to introduce free schoolbooks and affordable school uniforms.

“No parent should face financial pressure and struggles in trying to meet what are essential costs for their children’s education. No child should feel any anxiety about their parents’ ability to meet school costs.

“For many families, struggling to meet recent cost of living increases has meant their ability to be able to afford back to school costs is particularly precarious this year. The government should set out plans to provide genuinely free education for all children,” a spokesperson for Barnardos said.

According to Barnardos, the average cost of the basics needed for a fourth class pupil is €424. It is €814 for a First Year pupil and €722 for a fifth year pupil.

A survey by the charity revealed most parents are worried about the cost of sending their children to school. Some 69% of parents of primary children and 74% of post-primary said they were worried about meeting school costs.

These fears persist despite Government announcing back to school relief targeted at lower income families.

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