Two in five parents forgo paying household bills or cut back on expenses when preparing for the new school year.
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The annual Barnardos school costs survey shows that parents are spending 340 euro to send a senior infants pupil back to school, but that cost rises to 775 euro for a first year pupil.
The charity is calling on the government to take the pressure off parents and provide a truly free education for all children.
It says an investment of just 103 million euro per year would substantially reduce the financial burden.
Head of Advocacy June Tinsley says the cost of school books is a major issue
