August is tough on the pocket if you have children in school, especially if they are starting the Junior or Leaving Certificate cycles.
Even junior infants have lengthy booklists and need plenty of gear, from lunchboxes to uniforms.
Beyond the necessities are discretionary items such as branded stationery, labelled footwear and whatever fashion items can be appended to the school uniform. Expect to start September broke.
According to the National Parents Council (Primary), the average cost of sending a child to school is €2,618.81. Although some parents buy expensive uniforms, schoolbags and lunchbags, the fundamental costs are pretty similar:
Schoolbooks will cost a family €67.65 (maximum €194.75, minimum €15.40). Only 20 per cent of those who responded to the NPC survey had children in schools with book-rental schemes, with the average cost of renting being €12.80. The maximum price was €66.60
• New schoolbags cost €18.45 on average
• Copy books average €9.22
• Pens/pencils average €8.70
• Lunchboxes average €6.66
• Accessories, including calculators, workbooks, flasks average €23.06
• Uniform average price €59.96 (maximum €276 , minimum €10.25). 41 per cent of parents surveyed said they purchase all or part of the uniform in special stores.
• Tracksuits average €32.40 (maximum €154.25)
• Runners average €38.54 (maximum €117.87, minimum €6.15)
• Shoes average €45.10 (maximum €143.50, minimum €5.07)
• Photocopying averages €11.27 over the course of a school year
• Art materials average €12.30
• Swimming equipment averages €40.70
• School tours average €20.30 (maximum €515, minimum €3.09)
• Drama, tests, sports, milk, insurance, music, and heating average €58 (maximum €2,050, minimum €1.23)
• Voluntary contributions to school events average €54.84 (maximum €262.4, minimum €2.06). 63 per cent of parents pay a voluntary contribution
• School transport averages €436.65
• After-school childcare facilities average €1,621.55
The above figures were compiled in 2003 and have been adjusted to coincide with the rate of inflation
