Between €1000 - €1400 to get a child back to school? Who are they chatting to?

meeeeh · 13-07-2016 04:53PM

I calculated that in the first year only the birthday parties costed us at least 600 Euro (going to them and organizing one). And yes I know they don't have to go but you don't want your kid to be left out. That being said it's still way cheaper than preschool child care.

Grandeeod · 13-07-2016 05:04PM

smash wrote: »

And out of that list, the back to school cost is actually just:

Gym gear: €74
Fees/contribution: €113
Uniforms: €183
Books: €146

Which is a total of €516. Now lets consider that most schools have a book rental scheme, the cost comes down to €415. And lets be realistic about the uniform, as it's really just a jumper and everything else can be got in Dunnes for the square root of fcuk all, the cost comes down to €295. Voluntary contribution? Maybe you don't want to pay it... €260 ish. New bag and lunch box €25 so that's €285 now. That's a long way off the tripe that the papers are putting out there.

SPOT ON!

Cost me approx. €300 for third class and that includes two extracurricular activities and the school tour.

Grandeeod · 13-07-2016 05:08PM

the groutch wrote: »

It nothing more than the credit unions scaremongering parents into borrowing money they don't need to spend.

Or its CU members exaggerating the cost so they can pay for the mid term trip to Lanzo.

nhunter100 · 13-07-2016 05:09PM

smash wrote:

Yes. Complete bollox fabricated by people who want a hand out.

The Irish League of Credit Unions released the report. So what handout are they seeking?

macnug · 13-07-2016 05:18PM

We did the back to school thing early this year (for once) and spend about 190 so far, should have another 100-150 to go. Don't know where there getting 1000 from. I know kids need wet gear etc but not every year.

fatherted1969 · 13-07-2016 05:22PM

FortySeven wrote: »

Never spent a grand getting two children back to school. Where are these people shopping?

Where ours went to school there was only one or two places you could get the uniform so it's not like you could shop around for the best prices. Shops charge what they like cos they know you have to get it there no matter what

ceadaoin. · 13-07-2016 05:29PM

fedor.2. wrote: »

People should take all these costs into consideration before having kids, instead of moaning about it later.

Yes they should means test anyone who wants kids. Can't afford the projected cost of raising a child? Sterilization!

Ffs

FortySeven · 13-07-2016 05:30PM

fatherted1969 wrote: »

Where ours went to school there was only one or two places you could get the uniform so it's not like you could shop around for the best prices. Shops charge what they like cos they know you have to get it there no matter what

Even a 50 Euro jumper and a 100 Euro tracksuit they are miles away.

selastich2 · 13-07-2016 05:31PM

why is lunches included? If your child didn't go to school, you'd still have to feed it

selastich2 · 13-07-2016 05:35PM

Jayop wrote: »

Smash won this thread.

it's a load of bollocks really, especially including the cost of the lunches. Unless the kid's lunch for the first week is coming to €145 then it's not a "back to school" expense. I have 2 kids in school and the combined cost of both wouldn't be that much.

Shoes from last year OK for both because we got good shoes at the time. School jumpers OK for both although the wee girl's one had to be replaced at the end of the last term because the elbow was worn out of it. Both have book rental schemes, both will be wearing trousers from Penny's or Dunnes. I drop them to school with 2 other kids and their parents pick them up so no transport costs, no afterschool costs.

you could have saved a few more bob by putting the leather patches on the elbows.

NIMAN · 13-07-2016 05:49PM

I have a child in senior infants and there was not a chance of it costing anywhere near €1000 for him last year.

I'd say not even half of it.

Its to create a story for the media to hype. They were saying that parents were going to money lenders to get their kids back to school. So parents are borrowing money for the entire years lunches at the start of the year off money lenders? Of course they are.

osarusan · 13-07-2016 05:50PM

It's the 'back to school' version of those stories abut how the 'average' unemployed family gets x amount in benefits, but when it's actually broken down, its the most extreme/expensive outcome taken in every instance.

NIMAN · 13-07-2016 05:51PM

Winterlong wrote: »

To summarise. The report is a load of bollocks.

It was done by the ESRI, good to see they are reputable anyway.

fedor.2. · 13-07-2016 05:52PM

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Yes they should means test anyone who wants kids. Can't afford the projected cost of raising a child? Sterilization!

Ffs

I said it should be considered.

fedor.2. · 13-07-2016 05:54PM

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

You see that is classical idiotic shortsighted thinking. These kids will pay your pension through their taxes and private pension contributions, it's because of them you will be able to retire one day. If now only families have their 1.2 kids where both spouses are working and both earn the €40k minimum that is required to keep the house, holiday, pay for childcare, going out, have 2x max three year old cars in the drive, full Sky package and latest phones, tablets, laptop lifestyle, you will have to work until you're 75 and then your pension pot will be gone and the state pension will be a fiver a week.
People NEED to have kids, especially in Europe where birth rates are declining and if you are lucky enough to live in a country that has a good birth rate, count your blessings. Subsidizing them a tiny bit is merely an investment in your own future.
I don't know why the Irish hate kids so much (along with trees, animals and good food or beer) with people describing them as spawn, crotch goblins and whatnot.
These kids will pay your pension, plus decide what home you go to, so better be nice!

I pay in to my own pension, lad. The rest of your post is just drivel.

Gatling · 13-07-2016 05:55PM

We pay 300 for books and trips, crafts and anything in between and 80 on two school tracksuits
That's it ,
coats if they still fit and are in good condition they wear what they got last September,
Shoes or runners when needed ,
personally I don't see where €1000+ is coming from,
Be interested to see what parents are spending that much and why

Hellrazer · 13-07-2016 06:00PM

I dont think its ever cost me a grand combined for my three going back to school.Maybe the first year of secondary but then the books last 3 years.
Book rental schemes..brilliant way to save.
My two younger ones are one class apart so the books are passed on except for the workbooks.So a good saving there.
Uniforms are usually dunnes with a school jumper.
Lunches cant be considered back to school as youd be feeding them anyway if they weren't in school.
Voluntary contribution...no thanks.Its voluntary.

That report is a joke.
No way near reality figures.

The fecking birthday parties through the year cost more and thats not one bit of a joke.

Permabear · 13-07-2016 06:12PM

This post has been deleted.

PARlance · 13-07-2016 06:17PM

Can't wait until we only have to fork out for this. We're paying approx. €20,000 a year at present on childcare alone for 2 pre-schoolers.

GHOST MGG · 13-07-2016 06:20PM

NIMAN wrote: »

I have a child in senior infants and there was not a chance of it costing anywhere near €1000 for him last year.

I'd say not even half of it.

Its to create a story for the media to hype. They were saying that parents were going to money lenders to get their kids back to school. So parents are borrowing money for the entire years lunches at the start of the year off money lenders? Of course they are.

Senior infants?..please..wait until you have two children starting secondary school..Books alone for my son were 312 euros (more books to come in december apparently) and that figure does not include copies,pens,set squares etc..a good bit less for my daughter as her school run a book system.Uniforms as well are expensive...and then there are the contributions through out the year..it all adds up.

13-07-2016 06:38PM

Candie wrote: »

Does it include what used to be referred to as the 'voluntary contribution' i.e. the parents made up the shortfall between the budget the State allowed and the actual cost of running a school? When I was in primary school in Ireland the contribution looked for was a couple of hundred, and I'm 29 now.

This does happen in some schools still. The "posh" ones where I'm from! They expect everyone to pay it.

andekwarhola · 13-07-2016 06:52PM

smash wrote: »

Voluntary contribution? Maybe you don't want to pay it...

As an aside, (I agree with most of your post), well over half the parents in our school don't pay the voluntary contribution, which is a frankly bank busting 50 euro per family which is charged in a vain attempt to paper over funding gaps.

As with many Irish people, they know the Money Fairy (that is, other mugs) will cover the tab.

joebloggs32 · 13-07-2016 07:02PM

GHOST MGG wrote: »

Senior infants?..please..wait until you have two children starting secondary school..Books alone for my son were 312 euros (more books to come in december apparently) and that figure does not include copies,pens,set squares etc..a good bit less for my daughter as her school run a book system.Uniforms as well are expensive...and then there are the contributions through out the year..it all adds up.

It may big a big outlay in first year for books, but most will last for the full 3 years. Normally you could then sell on a few of them and get a few quid back too, only problem for you though is the staggered introduction of new junior cert will mean a larger than usual change in booklists

andekwarhola · 13-07-2016 07:11PM

The report (according to one news site) includes the cost of lunches, which seems a bizarre thing to nominate as a discretionary expense only applicable to school years.

Sam Kade · 13-07-2016 07:22PM

fedor.2. wrote: »

You reckon? Maybe we wouldn't have so many dummies around, if people were that "logical"

Is it really that difficult to think, even for a brief moment, if you can afford to have kids?

I presume you didn't have any children, did you do out an 18 year budget on what they would cost you?

freedominacup · 13-07-2016 07:31PM

Winterlong wrote: »

Transport: €101

Try €325 for a more accurate figure.

Kids and back to school equals cost but what could easily be done without is the logoed uniforms, coats and sports gear. Doubling at least the cost of uniforms.

Grandeeod · 13-07-2016 07:35PM

GHOST MGG wrote: »

Senior infants?..please..wait until you have two children starting secondary school..Books alone for my son were 312 euros (more books to come in december apparently) and that figure does not include copies,pens,set squares etc..a good bit less for my daughter as her school run a book system.Uniforms as well are expensive...and then there are the contributions through out the year..it all adds up.

Stood beside a mother in a local shop yesterday. She was buying the secondary school uniform for TWINS!

The bill was at €400 and climbing when I left. But in fairness she was making the fatal mistake of not looking to the cheaper stores for stuff like shirts socks etc.

Gatling · 13-07-2016 07:35PM

Don't see why parents who are paying so much don't boycott their schools until the schools make the decisions to scrap branded uniforms or agree to switch to a tracksuits that can be worn all year around

Grandeeod · 13-07-2016 07:37PM

Lia_lia wrote: »

This does happen in some schools still. The "posh" ones where I'm from! They expect everyone to pay it.

My childs school doesn't ask for a voluntary contribution. The have lots of fundraisers throughout the school term that cost about €1 a time.

FortySeven · 13-07-2016 07:45PM

In my kids school they read out all the kids names that didn't pay the 'voluntary' contribution in assembly to shame them.

Charming.

Between €1000 - €1400 to get a child back to school? Who are they chatting to?

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