Voluntary school contributions by some parents of primary-aged children have risen by 50 per cent, according to new research.

Children's charity Barnardos conducted a study that found since 2011 donations by senior infant parents has risen by a third to €100, the Irish Times reports.

Meanwhile, those with offspring in fourth year have increased their contributions by 50 per cent to €100.

Barnardos' chief executive Fergus Finlay claimed the findings suggest "schools are increasingly relying on parents to make up the shortfall" left by funding budget cuts.

The research also showed that clothing and footwear costs have fallen for primary school children, with the falling costs following the €50 reduction in the back-to-school allowance.

It was found the average cost of sending a child into senior infants is €355, while those entering first year at secondary level have to fork out €770.

For some parents, the expense of sending their child back to school has led to them having to forgo essentials such as food, the report also revealed.

Written by Donal Walsh

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