Cash-strapped parents are being urged not to turn to money lenders to cover back-to-school costs.
Instead those worried about the cost of uniforms, footwear and school books are being urged to contact the Department of Social Protection.
John Lowe of Moneydoctors.ie says, low-income parents who are working, should also talk to credit unions.
"The people to avoid are the moneylenders, believe it or not, there are 35 authorised money lenders, that are authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and they can charge up to 200%.
"The first port of call if you do have to borrow, and make sure you borrow within a year because you know your child is going to go to the next to the next level the following year, will be the credit union, they would probably be the cheapest, and also probably the most accessible."
