The latest school costs survey by Barnardos has found it takes €785 to put a child through their first year of secondary school - an increase of 50 euro.

The children's charity says the overall costs of sending a child to school have gone up this year compared with 2014.

It now costs €365 for a senior infant - up 20 euro - while it's up €10 to 390 for a child in 4th class.

Books continue to be a substantial cost, particularly for secondary school pupils, where they make up on average over 40% of the total costs.

The survey also found voluntary contributions are up, while there's some good news - with savings to be made in the cost of uniforms and school shoes.

Key findings

Average costs	Senior Infants pupil	4th Class pupil	1st Year pupil
	2014	2015	2014	2015	2014	2015
Clothing	€110	€100	€120	€115	€200	€195
Footwear	€55	€50	€60	€55	€60	€60
School Books	€75	€80	€85	€90	€300	€325
Classroom resources	€30	€35	€40	€40	€50	€55
Voluntary contribution	€75	€100	€75	€90	€125	€150
Total*	€345	€365	€380	€390	€735	€785
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance	€100	€100	€200

10^th anniversary comparison

Average* costs	Senior Infants pupil	4th Class pupil	Secondary School pupil
	2005	2008	2015	2005	2008	2015	2005	2008	2015
Clothing	€105	€140	€100	€135	€160	€115	€190	€225	€195
Footwear	€35	€40	€50	€45	€60	€55	€55	€100	€60
School Books	€110	€75	€80	€140	€105	€90	€250	€300	€325
Total	€250	€255	€230	€320	€325	€260	€495	€625	€580

Fergus Finlay, CEO, Barnardos, said, “This summer survey after survey has told us the true cost of Ireland’s supposedly ‘free’ education. It is time we said enough is enough.

"It is very clear our education system is underfunded and under-resourced and there is an unfair expectation that parents will plug the gaps."

He spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning: