Over half of parents are worrying about how to pay for uniform

Cost of living squeeze adds to struggle

- DANNY DE VAAL

HARD-PRESSED parents "lie awake" with anxiety over back-to-school bills, a study has found.

Research from Barnardos shows the average cost of the basics needed for a fourth-class primary pupil is €320.

For a first year in secondary it is €972 and for a fifth year it's €863.

The charity's Back to School Survey quizzed 1,100 parents.