# Back To School

Last year

2022

# Back To School

Free school books for primary school students in Budget education package

There has been widespread support for the announcement.

28.9k

Updated Sep 26th 2022, 9:52 AM

# Back To School

St Vincent de Paul received 30 calls an hour from parents unable to meet back to school costs

Many parents are struggling to make ends meet.

10.6k

Aug 31st 2022, 3:08 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Have you noticed more traffic today?

Many schools are reopening today or later this week.

19.6k

Aug 31st 2022, 10:30 AM

Voices

Therapist: Back-to-school anxiety is real for many pupils this week - here's how you can help

Susi Lodola writes about what causes anxiety in children, how to identify it and what you parents and guardians can do to help.

20.0k

Updated Aug 30th 2022, 1:42 PM

# Back To School

Difficulties in procuring extra buses and drivers for school transport scheme, says Foley

The Education Minister has said that there are plans to increase the capacity of the scheme amid unprecedented demand.

29.0k

Updated Aug 29th 2022, 5:47 PM

# School Costs

Most parents concerned about cost of sending children back to school, survey says

The survey found that parents were concerned about the costs amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

10.8k

Jul 26th 2022, 6:00 AM

# Bonus

Bonus back-to-school payment to be brought forward and paid next week

It was due to be paid in August.

25.9k

Jul 11th 2022, 8:32 AM

# Back To School

Back to school costs: Parents spending €1,518 on average as Dáil hears calls for more action

The number of parents in debt over back to school costs has increased by 5% to 29%.

21.3k

Updated Jul 6th 2022, 12:57 PM

# Back To School

School transport fees to be waived for the year as Government announce back-to-school package

The proposal is set to cost €67 million.

61.7k

Updated Jul 5th 2022, 7:10 PM

# Cost of Living

'We've no way to buy cheaper uniforms': Parents facing price hikes ahead of new school term

Poverty campaigners and parents’ groups fear that back-to-school costs will be compounded this year by the cost-of-living crisis.

Poverty campaigners and parents’ groups frequently highlight the cost of going back to school every summer.

There are growing fears that the cost-of-living crisis will place an additional burden on parents, Emer Moreau writes.

17.2k

Jul 5th 2022, 6:30 AM

# Back To School

Schools set to re-open on Thursday as safety measures deemed 'effective and appropriate'

Each of the three main teaching unions continued to express concerns about staffing.

The Department of Education said there was no public health rationale to delay the reopening.

The ASTI has said that some classes may be prioritised if adequate teaching staff was not available.

The leaders of the three government coalition parties also met this afternoon and green lit the plans for schools.

199k

195

Updated Jan 4th 2022, 9:55 PM

All time

# Back To School

Minister to meet with unions next week as 'plan is for schools to reopen'

The Christmas break will end for most schools next week.

39.2k

Dec 31st 2021, 4:57 PM

# Back To School

Education Minister rejects accusation of ‘complacency’ over return of schools

Some opposition politicians were critical of what they labelled “confusing” guidance for when pupils are designated as close contacts.

18.6k

Sep 21st 2021, 8:22 PM

# Back To School

Q&A: The latest Covid-19 protocols for secondary schools as students return to classes

Students across the country have been returning to school this week.

18.3k

Aug 28th 2021, 8:30 AM

# St Vincent de Paul

Hundreds of struggling parents call SVP everyday as back-to-school costs bite

The charity said the cost of iPads and tablets is a particular cause of concern.

20.1k

Aug 26th 2021, 10:01 PM

# Back To School

832 outbreaks of Covid-19 in schools since last August, HSE reports

More than 46,000 Covid-19 cases have been recorded in children and teenagers up to July.

16.7k

Aug 23rd 2021, 8:50 AM

# Back To School

Most parents believe children will require additional supports when back to school - survey

63% were concerned about their children’s emotional development and 51% were concerned about social skills.

12.0k

Jul 28th 2021, 11:10 AM

# Back To School

New Covid variants 'do not change' the measures needed in schools, Foley says

The department is planning for a “full reopening” of schools in August/September.

14.0k

Jul 27th 2021, 4:43 PM

# Back To School

Minister seeks to 'reassure parents' that a full reopening of schools is planned

Minister Norma Foley said the return of children to the classroom for the new school term is a priority.

35.0k

Jul 25th 2021, 3:33 PM

# Back To School

Parents spending almost €1,500 a year sending children to secondary school - survey

The average debt parents find themselves in is €336.

14.0k

Jul 15th 2021, 6:10 AM

# Back To School

Remaining secondary students to return to school on 12 April

The last phase of the reopening will see first to fourth-year students return to in-person learning.

17.5k

Mar 26th 2021, 7:52 PM

# Back To School

Schools: Phased reopening begins as Education Minister says antigen testing has not yet been recommended

Sixth years and young primary school students are among those who returned to school today.

36.2k

Updated Mar 1st 2021, 1:53 PM

# test and trace

Close-contact positivity something 'we really need to watch' as schools return

The so-called UK variant now accounts for about 92% of cases in this country.

25.7k

Updated Feb 26th 2021, 2:27 PM

# Back To School

Cabinet sub-committee gives green light for phased reopening of schools in March and April

It’s understood it’s likely there will be little easing of restrictions until May.

88.1k

Updated Feb 18th 2021, 7:45 PM

# Back To School

More than 4,000 children and teachers tested for Covid-19 since schools opened

HSE CEO Paul Reid said there have been 180 index cases, with a further 84 linked to those.

22.9k

Sep 29th 2020, 12:43 PM

# School Transport

Over 3,000 students turned down for school bus tickets, according to new figures

TD Mattie McGrath said that the ‘archaic’ system was facing a worrying backlog.

23.0k

Sep 10th 2020, 7:45 AM

# Schools

'It's a huge risk': Pregnant teaching staff say they've been left in the dark over the return of schools

Many teachers complain they’ve received little guidance or assurances about how pregnant staff will be looked after.

53.2k

Aug 30th 2020, 12:05 AM

# Back To School

Is your child worried about going to school? An expert has some tips for parents

Many children, and parents, are anxious about schools reopening.

13.9k

Aug 27th 2020, 6:15 AM

# Back To School

'For the love of God': Anger as shed to be used as Covid-19 isolation room at Athlone school

The school’s principal said the situation is “not ideal”.

56.7k

162

Updated Aug 26th 2020, 3:03 PM

# Back To School

'It's up to everyone to try their best to get this right': Inside a Wicklow school preparing to reopen

We paid a socially distant visit to St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin.

16.1k

Aug 25th 2020, 8:00 PM

# Covid-19

Return to school: Two-thirds of principals say they have teachers with underlying health issues

Second-level schools should delay reopening if they can’t implement social distancing, according to the TUI.

62.0k

130

Updated Aug 25th 2020, 11:53 AM

# new normal

New cough, stay at home. Runny nose, attend school: HSE releases new advice for parents

The advice notes that: “Every year, schoolchildren get colds, flu and other infections”.

179k

Aug 24th 2020, 6:28 PM

# Back To School

NI schools to re-open today despite concerns from teachers about Covid-19

The North’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride has insisted it is safe to return.

13.5k

Aug 24th 2020, 7:00 AM

# Back To School

Quiz: How well do you know these songs about school?

Don’t stand so close to… anyone

51.8k

Aug 21st 2020, 9:30 PM

# Back To School

The mental health system is preparing for a 'tsunami' of cases from young people - staff are worried it can't cope

Long waiting lists and a disjointed system have already caused major issues.

26.0k

Aug 16th 2020, 7:15 AM

# Back To School

TDs seek clarity on social distancing rules for school buses as minister says there's been 'significant progress' on reopening plans

Social distancing is a rule while waiting for school buses but not on them.

25.2k

Updated Aug 14th 2020, 7:23 PM

# counting the cost

Back to school costs rising at secondary and primary level as 27% of parents find themselves in debt

The average debt for parents to cover back-to-school costs is €397.

18.9k

Aug 12th 2020, 7:57 AM

# Back To School

Secondary students: 'If you want us to wear face masks in the classroom, we'll do it'

Students at third level institutions have been advised to wear face coverings if they cannot maintain a distance of two metres.

67.6k

Updated Aug 7th 2020, 11:15 AM

# Back To School

'I have no clue what it will be like when she goes back': Parents share their fears about their children returning to school

Children also told of their worries about the new layout of classes.

14.3k

Jul 30th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Back To School

How will school pods and 'class bubbles' work?

The aim is that if a student contracts the virus, then only their pod or classroom would have to be sent home to self-isolate.

38.8k

Jul 28th 2020, 8:24 AM