Annual and Lifetime Cost of Primary Education
According to the latest Zurich Cost of Education research, the average annual cost of sending a child to primary school in Ireland is €1,546, representing a decrease of €325 compared to 2023. This reduction is largely attributed to the introduction of free schoolbooks for primary school students. The total estimated cost over eight years of primary education is €12,368, based on the assumption that these annual expenses remain constant throughout the primary cycle.
Key Cost Breakdown
The following table outlines the typical breakdown of annual primary school costs:
Spending Trends and Parental Insights
The research highlights several trends and insights into how parents are managing the cost of education:
Transportation: The car remains the most popular mode of transport for primary school students at 67%, an increase of 8% from 2023. Walking has also risen slightly, now at 45% (+3%).
Lunches: 71% of children bring a packed lunch to school, up 2% from last year, while 23% eat in the school canteen.
Back-to-School Allowance: 26% of parents are eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, down from 43% in 2023.
Use of Child Benefit:
Parents’ usage of the monthly child benefit (€140 per child) is varied: o 50% use it for day-to-day child costs
38% for household expenses
26% save it
Only 18% use it for education costs
Borrowing to Cover Costs:
14% of parents have taken out a loan to fund primary school expenses a significant decrease of 11% compared to the previous year.
Secondary School Costs – Key Findings (Zurich 2024)
Average annual cost for one child in secondary school: €3,090, substantially higher than the €2,281 parents estimate
Estimated total over six years: around €18,525
Most costly areas: grinds, followed by daily essentials like lunches and transport
65% of students still require hard-copy textbooks, up 6% from 2023
40% of parents would prefer a shift to digital learning
20% of parents took out loans to fund secondary education
Branded uniforms remain prevalent: 60% of schools require full branded sets
Main transport methods: car (48%), walking (34%), public transport (23%)
66% of students pack their own lunch; average lunch cost is €374 annually
Secondary school can cost upwards of €3,090 per year, with total costs exceeding €18,500 over six years.
Grinds, lunches, transport, and uniforms constitute the highest expenses.
Many parents currently resort to borrowed funds to manage these costs.
Expense Breakdown (Secondary)
Additional Key Findings from CCPC 2024
Voluntary Contributions
• 83% of parents were asked for a financial contribution.
• Average request: €129 in primary, €211 in secondary.
• Only 15% were told about these fees before school acceptance.
• 51% say the request doesn’t feel voluntary.
Uniform & PE Costs
• Parents spend an average of €169 per child on uniforms.
• Most are required to buy specific items from designated shops, with limited flexibility.
• 62% must also buy separate PE/sportswear, adding approx. €100 per child.
Technology Requirements
24% of all parents must provide a laptop or tablet for schoolwork.
Average spend: €501, rising to €562 for secondary school children.
One-third of schools specify both the device and retailer.
66% of parents were offered bundled extras (cases, software, insurance), sometimes compulsory.
How Parents Fund Education Costs
• 50% use monthly Child Benefit (€140) for daily child-related expenses.
• Only 18% use it specifically for education.
• 14% of parents have taken out loans to cover primary school costs (down from 25% in 2023).
• Parents with multiple children often pay contributions per child, not per family
Third Level Education
Lifetime 4-Year Costs
• Living at home: €24,132
• Student accommodation: €44,268
• Rented accommodation: €64,400
Financial Strain & Support
• 77% of parents support their child beyond basic fees; average support is €259 / month
• Nearly 60% believe their child is under financial strain
• 66% of students have a part-time job to help with costs
Rising Costs Since 2019
Between 2019 and 2024:
• Home-based costs increased by 30%+
• Student accommodation costs rose 25%+
• Rented accommodation costs surged over 92%
• Transport and parental support costs have also climbed significantly
Drivers: inflation (84% of parents), rising food and transport costs, and housing shortages
Saving & Financial Planning
• 50% of parents have savings earmarked for education
• 40% of parents already save for future third-level costs; 24% began saving at birth
Tips to Save Money for Third-Level Education
Preparing financially for college can be challenging, but smart planning and spending can make a big difference. Based on advice from budgeting experts and current cost insights, here are practical tips to help students and families reduce the financial pressure of
third- level education.
• Work From a Realistic Budget: Track all income (grants, earnings, support) and expenses. Aim for a 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings.
• Avoid Credit and Loans: Use credit cards only if you can repay in full. Avoid loans unless absolutely necessary.
• Cook and Pack Food: Home-cooked meals are cheaper and healthier than takeaways. Bring lunch instead of buying daily.
• Share Household Essentials: Split the cost of shared items like cleaning supplies with housemates.
• Buy Generic Goods & Avoid Impulse Buying: Stick to a shopping list, use supermarket own-brands, and take advantage of store deals and loyalty programs.
• Shop Around for Utilities: Compare providers for electricity, internet, and mobile plans to get the best deals.
• Use Student Transport Discounts: Get a student Leap Card for cheaper travel. Consider cycling or using local bike-sharing schemes.
• Maximise Grants and Tax Relief: Apply for SUSI grants and check for available tax relief on tuition fees.
• Secure Scholarships & Bursaries: Look for college-specific and national scholarships or bursaries that support your course or circumstances.
• Consider Flexible Accommodation: If possible, explore short-term or part-week accommodation options to save on rent.
• Get a Part-Time Job: Many students work part-time to support themselves—look for flexible or on-campus jobs.
Savings and Planning for your child’s lifetime education journey
To help manage and reduce the financial burden, parents are encouraged to consider cost-saving measures, such as:
• Start saving early – e.g. designated account for children’s allowance
• Create a back to school budget for expected costs, set limits and track annually to prepare for the next year
• Spread cost over the year i.e. mid year stationary/ bags can be bought ahead of the school term
• Providing packed lunches
• Encouraging walking or cycling to school
• Participating in book rental schemes
• Shop early for uniforms and avoid branded or specialist retailers when possible- Check if parts of the uniform (like trousers or shirts) can be bought from generic retailers instead of specialist shops. Avoid overbuying — buy only what’s required
• Buy tech devices independently if allowed - If your school requires a device (like a laptop or tablet), start researching early and watch for deals. Avoid getting locked into expensive bundles unless necessary
• Involve older kids- to teach them about managing costs, comparing prices and understand the value of money.
• See list for Third level specific saving & planning
Long-Term Saving Potential
Strategic financial planning, such as investing the monthly child benefit into a Regular Savings plan, can significantly support education costs. Depending on the age of your child, regularly investing the children’s allowance can per month can result in a substantial difference compared to saving it on deposit. Saving €140 per month from birth to age 18 will create a potential pot of €30,240.
If you decided to invest this money on a monthly basis in a medium to high diversified investment portfolio your pot would be considerably larger with a potential pot of
€44,497( €38,651.53 net of 41% Exit tax – approx €8k gain).
