Several schemes are in place to ease the cost burden.

Back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance:

If the idea of finding sufficient cash to properly clothe your child this autumn fills you with dread, then never fear, the Department of Social and Family Affairs has a grant system to help you do just that.

The programme, administered by the regional Health Service Executive, is available between June 1st and September 30th every year for children between the ages of two and 17, and between 18 and 22 if still in full-time education.

To be eligible however, the applicant (ie the child's parent or guardian) must be receiving certain social welfare payments or payments for training, employment schemes or adult education. Total household income must also be below a certain amount.

The rate of payment is: €180 for each child aged two to 11 on or before October 1st, and €285 for each child aged 12 to 22 on or before October 1st.

Applications should be made to the community welfare officer at your local health centre.

More information can be found at www.welfare.ie

School-books grant scheme:

If you have produced a bookworm for a child, then you will be familiar with the substantial cost of feeding this habit. If you haven't, then once your child is back at school, it won't take you long to realise that reading can indeed be an expensive pastime.

However, luckily for some, there is a grant scheme available for students in State primary and post-primary schools to help with the cost of school-books.

It is aimed at pupils from low-income families and families experiencing financial hardship.

Funding for the scheme comes from the Department of Education and Science and it is administered in each school by the school principal.

A variety of students may be eligible for this assistance, including those whose families are on low incomes or on social welfare payments, or those experiencing hardship because of particular circumstances. Be aware, though, that assistance under this scheme is at the sole discretion of the school principal.

Exam fees:

If you hold a current medical card, you are exempt from paying exam fees for the Junior or Leaving Certificate.

School meals scheme:

As everybody knows, it is hard to concentrate on an empty stomach. As a result, it is essential that your child is fed properly so that he or she can get the best out of their education.

For anybody who has worries in this area, help is at hand. The Government provides funding towards the provision of food for disadvantaged schoolchildren through a scheme operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

There are two programmes. One scheme is operated by the local authority, whereby primary pupils receive a small snack such as a sandwich, soup, bun, milk or fruit. In the second scheme, money is given directly to the schools to operate their own meals projects.

This funding is only available for healthy, nutritious food. More information can be obtained through individual schools or the local authorities.