More than half of parents have expressed worries about their children’s return to school, according to the children’s charity Barnardos.

The survey found that a large majority felt they had not been given enough information about their children’s return.

As a result, more than one-fifth of secondary school parents said they would prefer if their child was not returning next month.

Barnardos carried out the survey earlier this month – before the Government published its €375m plan for the safe reopening of schools.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said

“We know from our survey, which was of over 1,700 parents with children in primary and secondary school, that 50% are worried about their children returning to school,” she said.

“All of them are acknowledging the importance of their children’s return to school but they are very worried because they haven’t been given sufficient information as to how the schools are going to manage.

“Of particular interest is the fact that 16% of primary school parents would prefer if their children were not going back to school because they are so worried about COVID and 21% of parents with children in secondary school, so I think that shows the level of anxiety that parents are feeling.”

More than 90% of parents said they felt it was important that their children return to school for their emotional and social development and mental health.

The survey also looked at back to school costs – with more than half saying it cost them more to have their children home from school during the pandemic.

Meanwhile the average cost of sending a first-year student to school is €735 – with a significant proportion of parents cutting back on bills or taking on loans to cover the costs.