Half of parents are worried about meeting school costs
Key findings:
- Families under pressure: More than half of all parents stated they are worried about meeting costs, with almost one in five (18%) saying they were very concerned.
- Uniforms: Over two thirds (70%) of parents said they were somewhat or very worried about meeting the cost of uniforms this year. Less than one third (30%) of primary and 9% of secondary school parents said their school offered an affordable uniform option.
- Digital: 57% of secondary school parents said they had to pay for digital devices, at an average of €447.
“Being asked to pay €850 for a tablet is disgraceful when people are struggling to pay their electricity bill and put food on the table.” (Secondary Parent)
- The Government needs to continue the progress made in recent years to provide a truly free education
- Methodology: The survey received 704 responses, covering costs for 455 primary and 249 secondary school students. The 2026 report is based on an online survey of parents about back to school costs. It ran from the 7th to 31st July and was shared via email and social media with the public and Barnardos supporters.
05.08.2026. Barnardos has today launched its Back to School Survey 2026. Results continue to show that parents are concerned about meeting costs this year with primary school parents particularly worried about the cost of uniforms and many secondary school parents concerned about how to meet the cost of digital devices.
The children’s charity is calling on the Government to prioritise the review of digital devices and reduce their cost, make affordable uniform options mandatory across all schools, expand eligibility for the back to school allowance and introduce a voluntary contributions code of practice.
Barnardos conducted an online survey of parents to find out the costs they will incur for their child returning to education in September. The survey was live from the 7th to the 31st of July inclusive. A total of 704 responses were received.
- More than half of all parents stated they are worried about meeting these costs, with almost one in five (18%) saying they were very concerned.
- Just over one quarter of secondary (27%) and 21% of primary school parents said they have to use savings in order to meet back to school costs. 15% of secondary and one in ten (9%) of primary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from family and friends to meet school costs.
Having 4 children in school and no reductions as both parents work and school costs are increasing so not all of the children will be able to fully participate
(Secondary school parent)
Deciding between paying household bills or covering school costs
(Secondary school parent)
Parents spoke at length about the concerns of meeting back to school costs. Some detailed having to cut back or go without, most likely essentials for themselves, in order to meet the costs. Others raised the problem of all the costs coming at once and not being in a good position to meet them. On top of some resorting to borrowing in order to meet costs, others spoke of the financial struggles they will have to endure for a few months after these costs. This is particularly an issue for families on lower incomes who have not been able to put away money for these costs earlier in the year, due to insufficient income and general problems with cost of living increases.
I worry every summer about how I will fund everything. Difficulty this year is that secondary school is so expensive, have to try to scrimp and save where I can.
(Secondary school parent)
Uniforms – Over two thirds (70%) of parents said they were somewhat or very worried about meeting the cost of uniforms this year. Less than one third (30%) of primary and 9% of secondary school parents said their school offered an affordable uniform option. This is despite nine in ten (90%) parents believing that their school should provide an affordable uniform option.
The twins have double everything to get and crested uniforms are a joke as they cost so much. I’ve one starting secondary school and her uniform costs are a scandal
(Secondary school parent)
The cost of the uniform is outrageous. They should be allowed to wear the tracksuit all the time; the only option should be affordable
(Primary school parent)
In recent years, more and more parents have raised their frustration of receiving little to no support when meeting back to school costs. The most frequent complaint is not being beneficiaries of the back to school allowance because they don’t quite meet thresholds.
My biggest concern is that the cost of food, clothing, school supplies and activities keeps increasing, yet many hardworking families fall just above the income threshold and receive no Back to School Allowance. Missing out because your income is only a few euros over the limit feels deeply unfair, especially when those families still struggle with the real cost of raising children. The current system creates a benefits cliff instead of providing gradual support. Assistance should taper off based on income rather than stop completely, so that working families are not penalised for earning slightly more.
(Primary school parent)
Digital Devices – 57% of secondary school parents said they had to pay for digital devices, at an average cost of €447. Parents suggested that some schools were out of touch with reality and the general cost of living issue within the country.
Being asked to pay €850 for a tablet is disgraceful when people are struggling to pay their electricity bill and put food on the table. School has no understanding of current cost of living crisis and how families are struggling. Tablet was compulsory!! Absolutely disgraceful.
(Secondary school parent)
There are many instances across the country of parents being compelled to buy specific devices from specific suppliers at set costs, they are not allowed to shop around to get better value, use similar cheaper items, or even use identical devices that they already own. We have been informed that this is happening frequently without any consultation with parents.
Barnardos National Policy Manager Stephen Moffatt said: “Barnardos has been campaigning to reduce back to school costs in order to reduce financial pressure facing parents across the country for over 20 years. Over the past few years, we have seen substantial progress. However, parents remain concerned about several back to school costs, in particular for many secondary school parents the cost of digital devices and for primary school parents the issue of expensive uniforms, which often now include additional branded tracksuits. The Government needs to continue the progress made recently in order to provide a truly free education.”
Barnardos calls on the government to prioritise these actions:
- Review the use of digital devices and reduce costs for low income families
- Make affordable uniform options mandatory across all schools
- Expand eligibility to back to school allowance
- Introduce voluntary contributions code of practice
ENDS:
Notes to Editor:
The Real Cost of School in 2026: Back to School Survey Report
Methodology
The survey received 704 responses, covering costs for 455 primary and 249 secondary school students. The 2026 report is based on an online survey of parents about back to school costs. It ran from 7th to 31st July and was shared via email and social media with the public and Barnardos supporters.
