One third of parents are going into debt to cover back to school costs.

New research by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU), found the cost of sending a child to primary school has gone up by €364 in the past year, to an average of €1,450.

The cost of sending child to secondary school has increased by €159 since last year, to an average of €1,560.

More parents are worried about back to schools costs this year compared to last year.

64% are feeling financial pressure ahead of the new school term this year, up slightly from 64% in 2024.

After-school care is the most expensive cost faced by parents of primary school children at an average of €197.

More than one-third of parents (37%), are sacrificing a family holiday to pay for back to school costs.

Almost one in five parents (18%) are cutting back on food to pay for back to school costs, compared to 13% last year.

CEO of the ILCU, David Malone says many families are struggling.

"The average debt itself is €376 Euro, 36% of parents have debt of over €500.

"We're seeing an increasing amount of debt through credit cards, as well as 'buy now, pay later', and both of those forms of credit are very expensive."

61% of parents thinks schools aren't doing enough to do enough to help keep back to school costs down.

42% of families are dipping into savings to cover costs ahead of the new term in September.

35% said they denied their child at least one back to school item due to the cost, with extra-curricular activities and gym gear the things parents say they're most likely to avoid spending on.