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The average back-to-school spend is now €1,209 per child

There has been a slight drop in the number of parents getting into debt to fund these costs.

THE AVERAGE BACK-TO-SCHOOL spend has increased again, from €1,185 per child last year to €1,209 this year.

This is according to the latest survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) which found one in four parents will have to deny their children some back-to-school items this year. Of those who said this, almost four-in-ten say they can’t buy their children new school shoes.

Extracurricular activities, gym gear and school trips are also items that will be cut from the list as parents struggle to cope with costs, the ILCU said.

ILCU ILCU

Almost three quarters of parents continue to see the back to school spend as a financial burden and more than a quarter say the costs will negatively impact household bills. Some 29% say they will get into debt funding the back to school spend, though this is a 2% drop on last year.

The survey found 7% would use the credit union while just 1% would approach the bank. And 4% said they would use a moneylender – up slightly on 2016.

Of those who said they would have to borrow, the average amount borrowed also dropped slightly – down from €357 last year to €345 this year. The majority of parents continue to believe that Irish schools do not do enough to support them in helping to keep costs down.

The average spend per primary school child has increased by €81 since last year to €1,048. The survey does note that campaigns to bring down the price of school uniforms appear to have paid off, with a fall of 21%, or €39, in the cost of uniforms since last year.

There was an increase (from 38% last year to 43%) in numbers saying they would sacrifice spending on family holidays this year because of school related costs. And 11% said spending on credit cards and food will be cut in order to manage these costs.

ILCU ILCU

The vast majority of parents – almost three quarters – say they will be paying a voluntary contribution this year.

“It is somewhat encouraging to see that more parents than ever are funding the back to school spend through their monthly income, with a fall in the numbers getting into debt. However, it’s clear that the back to school spend is still so much of a financial burden on parents that they are forced to deny their children some basic items, as well as sacrifice spending on family holidays and even food,” said ILCU head of marketing and communications Emmet Oliver.

While the rise in numbers using moneylender was marginal, we would find any increase like this concerning and would really encourage parents to instead talk to their local credit union, where interest rates are fair and capped by law.

“We would also urge parents to set a budget for the back to school spend, and if they need assistance with this to also contact their local credit union for guidance. Planning and budgeting ahead for a yearly spend, such as back to school, can go a long way to helping you spend within your means, avoid financial stress and ensure that you don’t get into unnecessary debt,” he said.

Read: ‘Left with €15 after bills’: The week-to-week struggle of a single parent in Ireland>

Read: Nearly 1,500 children were taken into emergency care over four years>

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66 Comments
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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:56 AM

    As a parent, I don’t understand why others complain so much about the cost? It’s your child’s education? It’s not like books, uniforms etc just happened in the last year…there was always a cost. I save a portion of child benefit from January to June each year to cover costs of school, is that not what child benefit is for?
    Many parents who moan the most, seem to have the money to go on a sun holiday in the summer costing a few grand as its for “family memories” we go to a friends mobile in Wexford as prefer to priorities our kids education. I know the big financial shock will come when mine start college!!!!

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    Mute Stephen Foster
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:01 AM

    @Blah blah: ahh the voice of reason. You make complete sense.

    231
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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:13 AM

    @Blah blah: All your points are valid, however the Dept of education does not manage the system well. There should be a standardisation of the books. We should not be using workbooks. The amount of waste only benefits a few and it is not the working parents. The costs should be going down not up.

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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:15 AM

    @Blah blah: does it cost you anywhere near that much per child? I have 5 and I’d say it’ll cost around 1200 to get them all sorted not just one.

    132
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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:05 AM

    @Jane: no, but I budget in the savings for classes, swimming dancing, gaa fees etc for sept to Dec, as from July I start trying to save for xmas! Tis the joy of working parents, constant budgeting!!

    37
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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:10 AM

    @Denis Crowley: I agree re books, its a waste of money, rescources and not very envirobmentally friendly! But i do love to keep some of the workbooks for pure nostaglia and memories ;)

    26
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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:36 AM

    @Jane: I was thinking around a thousand Euros for my 3…2 primary and 1 secondary. We must be very sensible and frugal

    40
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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:43 AM

    @Frank Dubogovik: sensible and frugal, I must show that to my husband cause it’s the first time I’ve been called either of those. Thanks Frank.

    21
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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:48 AM

    @Jane: the lovely Mrs.D did spend €80 on her hair at weekend whereas I got a haircut from nice Polish lady for €8……so don’t be getting too carried away!!!!!lol

    14
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    Mute angela gaffney
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:15 AM

    @Jane: never spend near the cost stated with 3 kids , don’t know were they research their costs .

    53
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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:04 AM

    @Frank Dubogovik: bet she looks well though, money well spent.

    10
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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:05 AM

    @angela gaffney: I’m the same, by there figures it’s cost us nearly 6,000. It’s nonsense.

    19
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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:05 AM

    @Jane: their

    3
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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    Jul 25th 2017, 12:34 PM

    @Blah blah: how dare you take personal responsibility for your children.

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    Mute Blah blah
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    Jul 25th 2017, 1:48 PM

    @Tom Kelly: I know, I’m mad like that!!

    12
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    Mute John Martyn
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:06 PM

    Well said! Stop moaning about, it’s a great investment in their future, if parents don’t pay for it who do they expect will?

    6
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    Mute 50 Pence
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:45 AM

    I demand free stuff. Why should parents have to pay for their kids. The tax payer should pay for everything

    303
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    Mute KingBen
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:52 AM

    @50 Pence: parents are tax payers too and their kids will pay for the pensions and health of people who don’t have kids after they get educated and start working. It’s how they system works. The problem is parents who don’t work, ever and do not show their kids a work ethic.

    137
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    Mute 50 Pence
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:01 AM

    @KingBen: Nah, the robots will be paying for my pension. Pay for your kids yourself

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    Mute KingBen
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:04 AM

    @50 Pence: I do pay for my kids and through taxes I pay for other people’s kids too and I also contribute towards your future state pension. And if I could avoid any of my kids taxes in the future contributing to your robots I would definitely organise that.

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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:20 AM

    @50 Pence: Doubt it. Darwin’s law will apply. You will not make pension age. The robot accountant will see you as a cost and have you recycled.

    31
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    Mute Micheal Ralph
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:39 AM

    Don’t feed the TROLL

    7
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    Mute Jumperoo
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:11 AM

    I’d question why certain things are included in ‘back to school’ costs, as though you don’t face the same costs throughout the year. For example, school lunches. Do you not feed your child during the summer too? Doing so in September shouldn’t be seen as an additional cost that yiu don’t face in July and August. Also, after school care. Again, if neither parent is at home during the day, then you face childcare costs all year round too – they’re not an additional ‘back to school” cost either. Even the figure for uniforms usually includes an allowance for a winter coat. Surely you’d buy your child one of these even if they never went near a school?

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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:18 AM

    @Jumperoo: The point is this- the costs are not the same every year. They keep rising. The books are printed in china at a lower cost and again cost more. As children get older, the costs rise as well. They tell you budget yet, the end point keeps moving. Yet all the time the profit margins must be maintained.

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    Mute bings
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:26 AM

    @Jumperoo: There speaks a real voice I’ve said this so many times over the years to my friends when I hear about the cost of going back to school.

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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:26 AM

    @Jumperoo: 100% agree…the thing that always gets me is including sneakers in the bts ‘budget’……you gotta have em in any event but every time I drop kids to school everyone has top of the range nikes

    28
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    Mute John
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:50 AM

    If you can’t afford children don’t have them. Simple as.

    228
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    Mute Shelly O'Shea
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:56 AM

    @John: couldn’t agree more. Well said.

    96
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    Mute KingBen
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:57 AM

    @John: but who will support the ageing demographic when you retire John? We need people to have kids who then work and pay taxes for health and pensions etc. What’s the alternative?

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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:04 AM

    @John: Circumstances can change. However if it came down to cost in this country, there would be no children. It is more about using the money wisely. Our education system needs a serious overhaul. Not a PR tweaking.

    30
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    Mute Brendan Hughes
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:05 AM

    @KingBen: the alternative is… what Germany did. Import new blood to prop up the pension system.

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    Mute KingBen
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:08 AM

    @Brendan Hughes: yep, how is that working out? Huge financial cost now hoping that those newcomers work and contribute.

    26
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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:30 AM

    @KingBen: It would work pretty well if there was nit mass handouts. Read a little about how Singapore handles it

    4
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    Mute Ryan Carroll
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    Jul 25th 2017, 2:58 PM

    Agreed in principle but it’s also possible things change. You might have decided to have kids in 2005 then the crash hits in 2008 and suddenly you’ve 1/3 less pay or your wages went from the average wage of €800 a week to €188 welfare

    7
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    Mute Joseph Bloggs
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:49 PM

    @Ryan Carroll: child birth rate increased in 4 years following 2008. People are stupid and do not plan their children’s upbringing costs. Expect tax payer to foot bill.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:43 AM

    New school books every year is outrageous. Why on earth does the school not just lend you a copy for a small fee? I can’t understand it. It has to be some sort of shady deal somewhere.

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    Mute Gareth Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:49 AM

    @john Appleseed: there is no shady deal. But when I taught in Scotland you got a book on loan from the school, if you damaged it you paid for it. Even the copy books were given out free. Great system

    76
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    Mute Niall Sullivan
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:55 AM

    @john Appleseed: Half the time that people that write the books are schoolteachers and the book companies like to wine and dine teachers too.

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    Mute B Ó Raghallaigh
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:55 AM

    @john Appleseed: Schoolbook rental schemes are actually a thing. The initial start-up cost is steep though, and onlt getting steeper

    20
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    Mute Micheal Ralph
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:38 AM

    We find book rental scheme in our kids school really good! Was expensive for them in the first 3 years as there were also a lot of workbooks but now my eldest is in 2nd class he has a book list of just 3 books and then the relevant copies to go with them! Also, for larger families like us, there is the joy (for the parents at least) of the hand me downs!

    14
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    Mute marg fitzgerald
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:20 AM

    @john Appleseed: they do

    4
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    Mute Rebekah Corbett
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    Jul 25th 2017, 2:42 PM

    @john Appleseed: my grandchildren’s school has a book lending scheme in place which is great. Part of the problem is that nowadays they don’t seem to use copybooks any more – they have to buy workbooks which can’t be passed on.

    2
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    Mute Niall Sullivan
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:53 AM

    Still a lot cheaper than a childminder or childcare throughout the summer. The “voluntary contributions” are a pisstake and should by law be banned. Schools asking for it should be prosecuted. It forces parents to pay twice, through taxation and this stealth tax of voluntary contributions. And what’s to stop me or other parents offering a “voluntary contribution” of 10k to get my kid into the school and therefore depriving someone else?

    It’s wrong on every level and should be banned. It allows politicians, more specifically the minster fro education. shy away from his/her responsibilities in properly funding education from the exchequer. It should be completely banned.

    79
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    Mute Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
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    Jul 25th 2017, 2:04 PM

    @Niall Sullivan: What exactly do you think these contributions pay for ? Holidays for the staff ? Direct your anger at the DES , which underfunds schools as a policy .

    15
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    Mute bings
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:20 AM

    Every year in july & aug we have the same complaints, The cost of kids going back to school. I never bought my kind new bags, pencil case, lunch box, shoes, folders, etc going back to school in sept. If the ones they had in june were ok why buy new ones. I realise that most of the books have to be bought new every year but there may be a few that dont have to be bought so get them second hand. By the end of september there will be some books that were bought new & they will look just like the second hand ones. We know what they need each year going back so why complain. In oct we will have a simular article regarding the cost of christmas. It’s not as if this is the first time this has ever happened.

    66
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    Mute Helen O'Neill
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:20 AM

    Our local school in west cork is great, book rental scheme approx €50 per child. One school jumper and the rest can be bought anywhere. They don’t enforce traditional school shoes either

    63
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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:59 AM

    Ah yes. Free education. Roll out the usual line, you need to budget. This is the mantra of the civil service for more than thirty years.You need a new line lads. Meanwhile the cost of living is rising on every front and the working man and woman are being told by the ivory tower brigade – education is very important. That is why we have school fund raising days, voluntary contributions(lol), can you pay for heating in the school funds and in some cases your children need to bring their own toilet roll. Prefabs everywhere.
    The hypocrisy is breathtaking. The Irish government gave taxpayers money to developing countries to buy laptops for schools, yet we still use workbooks.
    We care about the environment yet we change the book formats every year.Resulting in thousands of them going in the bin.
    The only people making honest money in all this are the manufacturers of brown envelopes.

    63
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    Mute bings
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:22 AM

    @Denis Crowley: No point having laptops in most parts of the country as the internet service is crap.

    24
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    Mute Denis Crowley
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    Jul 25th 2017, 9:26 AM

    @bings: Again another government failure. Getting tired of paying taxes and listening to pathetic excuses.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:12 PM

    @Denis Crowley: regardless of what some people think workbooks and activity books are a valuable learning tool if used correctly. The recent circular ruling out workbooks by 2018 is a joke that will simply result in increased photocopying costs which will have to be passed on to parents. Also there is little or no chopping and changing of books at primary level or at least there shouldn’t be. With most schools providing book rental schemes for a nominal fee the actual costs of books to parents of primary school children has reduced dramatically.

    6
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    Mute Alan O'Rourke
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:42 AM

    Oh it’s a disgrace! I have 17 kids back to school in September. What has the government done to further subsidise education for them?!?

    79
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    Mute willow moon
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:57 AM

    Great job to all of ye who think that other people’s children have nothing to do with them, and why should ye be taxed for such luxuries as basic education.
    Who then is going to wipe your backside when ye in the nursing home hoping to see one friendly face.
    Without children, we might as well turn off the lights and collectively go sit on a beach.

    55
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    Mute Σ ΛΛ ΛΛ Θ
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:46 AM

    @KingBen: So should I just have children so they can look after me and pay taxes so others can get a state pension.

    23
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    Mute KingBen
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    Jul 25th 2017, 8:53 AM

    @Σ ΛΛ ΛΛ Θ: not just others, you will want a state pension too and health care won’t you? Who do you think will pay for that when you are old? Have kids yourself or don’t, not a problem to me. But if we all stop having kids it’s goodnight.

    15
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    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:04 AM

    My biggest gripe is the books and that they are “revised” pretty much every year. Version 2 bought last year camnot be used by a child the next year! Whats the difference – highlight the changes – its probably the front cover that changed! Does anyone really look to compare? Seriously its a ***s-take!

    25
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    Mute owen kirwan
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    Jul 25th 2017, 1:07 PM

    Again and again we have the same sh#t rolled out about back to school
    TRY
    1; save money from your 2 weeks in Santa ponza
    2; go to Aldi or Lidl or even Tesco for a uniform for €5 shoes for €5
    3;join the book rental scene (most schools have them)
    4; AND for God’s sake stop giving out about giving it child an education,
    5:Another little tip, maybe give up the days for a week or two ,put some of ur Children’s allowance to it ,it’s actually meant for the kids not a piss up the first Tuesday of the month .

    37
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    Mute owen kirwan
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    Jul 25th 2017, 1:09 PM

    @owen kirwan: fags for a week or 2

    10
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    Mute Trevor Connolly
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:17 AM

    Bad heading, it’s not a back to school cost, it’s an annual cost

    17
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    Mute Quiet Goer
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    Jul 25th 2017, 1:00 PM

    Fallons..folens. Re-order a few pages, rephrase a few sentences, do a bit of lobbying. Crests, uniforms, “”"voluntary”"” contributions. The whole thing is a money racket

    14
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jul 25th 2017, 2:47 PM

    @Quiet Goer: Yes, I agree. But what’s the nonsense about holidays? Plenty of people have been paying a mortgage and haven’t been able to have a holiday abroad for years. It isn’t compulsory.

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    Mute Joseph Bloggs
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    Jul 25th 2017, 2:49 PM

    BREAKING NEWS: stuff costs money.

    13
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    Mute ed w
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    Jul 25th 2017, 11:45 AM

    Schools are run by boards of management with parents. Change school uniforms so they are cheaper for a start.

    And yes the book thing needs sorting

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    Mute Éamonn Flynn
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    Jul 27th 2017, 3:27 AM

    @ed w: Having two seats out of twelve hardly means a lot of influence. The religious groups usually have about four.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Jul 25th 2017, 7:01 PM

    Many of the so called costs on the list are not ‘back to school’ costs…they are things parents spend on throughout the year…lunches, childcare, school trips etc. Back to school costs are new uniforms and shoes if needed, books, copies and a school bag. Contributions are voluntary and with most schools providing book rental schemes and uniform swapping there is no way that back to school costs come anywhere near those quoted in this article.

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    Mute Andi Black
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    Jul 25th 2017, 6:52 PM

    I am not trying to cruel or hurtful, but if you choose to have children, you need to be in an emotionally and practical state of mind and have the finances to follow through. Do not have children if you cannot afford to provide the ongoing support they need and deserve. The tax payer should not have to pay societal negligence.

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    Mute Mícheál S. Mac Donnacha
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    Jul 25th 2017, 1:23 PM

    What about the lunch rolls which cost 4 to 5 euro which children have everyday ?

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