Parents Struggle to Afford Back-to-School Costs | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 10, 2026 · 1m

Parents across Ireland are facing crushing back-to-school costs, with over a quarter of secondary school families and one in five primary families dipping into savings just to get kids ready. Even more alarming: 15% of secondary parents and 9% of primary parents resorted to loans or borrowing from loved ones — often choosing between bills and school supplies. Many feel left out by the back-to-school allowance, which they narrowly miss qualifying for. Digital devices are a major headache, with 57% of secondary parents spending an average of €447 on them — often forced to buy expensive…