20/07/2025
New research from the Irish League of Credit Unions reveals that one-third of parents are going into debt to cover rising back-to-school costs, with average expenses now reaching €1,450 for primary and €1,560 for secondary school students.
Over 60% of parents say they’re under financial pressure, with many cutting back on food, holidays, or dipping into savings. The average debt stands at €376, with 36% owing more than €500, often through high-cost credit like credit cards or "buy now, pay later" schemes.
Parents say schools aren’t doing enough to ease the burden. These rising costs are forcing families to make difficult trade-offs. Over a third of parents said they’ve had to deny their children at least one back-to-school item, most often gym gear or extra-curricular activities.
Family holidays remain the biggest sacrifice, with 37% of parents skipping them entirely, up 6% from last year. Meanwhile, almost one in five households are now cutting back on food, a sharp increase from 13% in 2024. ILCU Chief Executive David Malone says the findings reflect a broader cost-of-living strain, warning that more families are under pressure now than in previous years.
