Over a month to the return to the classrooms and parents across Carlow and Kilkenny are counting the costs

Parents are forking out €1,000 per child in back to school costs according to new research carried out by Barnardos.

On average primary school parents will spend €119 on uniforms alone with those of secondary school age needing an outlay of €211.

While the purchase of digital devices for school also costs hundreds of euro and other items drive the figure higher.

Barnardos annual survey shows that half of primary (51%) and 70% of secondary school parents stated they are worried about meeting costs this year. Only 30% of secondary school parents said that costs were manageable.  (full details here).

KCLR News’ Michael Bergin’s been out getting reaction from people on local streets for The KCLR Daily;