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Education Minister Ruairi Quinn today launched a Back to School budget planner to help parents budget for these costs. The calculator was developed in response to online research which showed that 80% of parents have financial concerns in relation to back to school costs.

The Minister said...

I know that many families are under severe financial pressure due to the economic downturn. I am committed to keeping costs down as far as possible for parents when it comes to school expenses.  I have already met with parents groups, the St Vincent de Paul and educational book publishers to look at ways of reducing the cost of school books, a heavy burden on many families each new school year.  I hope the National Consumer Agency’s Back to School budget planner will help parents plan and manage their spending.