The government mantra of free education is "an insult" according to Barnardos.
- Advertisement -
The charity has released its annual school costs survey today, which shows that it costs 340 euro to prepare a child for senior infants, 395 euro to send a child into fourth class and 775 euro to prepare a child for first year.
It says school costs are forcing parents into debt and is calling on the government to implement a number of measures to ease the burden.
Barnardos says investing in schools would reduce voluntary contributions and just 20 million euro extra per year would provide free primary school books for all children.
