St. Ciarán's Community School opening pre-owned uniforms shop next Tuesday

St. Ciarán's Community School in Kells will be opening an ECO Swap Shop next Tuesday on 12th August from 11am to 3pm where parents can buy pre-owned uniforms.

Donations of any outgrown school shirts, jumpers, trousers, PE uniforms, black runners, or school jackets are still being accepted this week. Clothes can be dropped off at the school’s general office and they said to ensure the clothes are clean and in good condition.

The ECO swap shop was set up to help parents afford their school costs. A Back to School Survey by children’s charity Barnardos published this week showed that 60% of parents of secondary school pupils and half of parents of primary school pupils are worried about affording the costs of returning to school this year.

236,560 children have received back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance payments by the government but Barnardos said more children should be helped. The allowance is €160 for most primary school children, and €285 for those aged 12 and over. The average expected cost for uniforms, voluntary contributions and classroom resources is €263 for primary schools and €406 for secondary schools.

'voluntary contribution', which parents told Barnardos feel anything but voluntary, are requested by 78% of primary and 84% of secondary school. Primary schools are asking on average for close to €90 while average contributions to secondary schools is €133.

Half of secondary school parents said their child’s school also requires them to buy digital devices which costs on average €430.

Over a quarter of secondary school parents and 14% of primary school parents said they’ll taking from their savings. 15% secondary school parents and 8% of primary school parents will be taking out a loan or borrowing from family or friends. Others will be cutting on other essentials such as gas and electricity bills.

Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke said “The report outlines that back-to-schools costs often reach up to €1,100 for secondary school and €725 for primary school students. Families are already struggling to keep their heads above water as the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral out of control, people simply cannot afford this annual financial blow.”