Pressure on parents over back-to-school costs

A chara, – The financial burden on parents of school going children at this time of year is phenomenal.

Conor Pope's article, "One in four parents will see child go short over back-to-school costs" (July 25th) outlines the extent of the spending.

A simple yet effective way of assisting these hard-pressed parents could be found through the extension of the school meals programme, administered by the Department of Social Protection.

The scheme brings huge savings to parents over the course of the school year. Savings that could be used to meet the back-to-school financial onslaught. This initiative would also bring huge benefits to the participating children in the very serious area of child obesity. – Is mise,

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PAT BURKE WALSH,

Gorey, Co Wexford.