A quarter of parents struggling financially, survey finds

Around a quarter of parents are struggling financially with the costs of raising a family, a survey has found.

Parents were asked what they spend on groceries, and a quarter said they spend more than 200 euro a week, with 37% spending between 150 and 200 euro.

Of the families who had accessed mental health supports, over half found them to be poor or terrible, while 45% of families who accessed special needs assessments found them to be inadequate.

An online survey of 1,878 parents of school-going children across Ireland was carried out by Schooldays.ie, a resource for parents and educators.

It found that parents were concerned about mental health support, finances and children’s access online.

Over a quarter of parents (28%) reported that their child had been assessed for specialist educational needs, with only 8% rating the assessment and support process as excellent.

Twenty percent of parents said the services were poor and a further 25% said they were very poor.

A similar percentage (28%) said their child has needed mental health services such as counselling or psychiatric support.

Of those who used those services, 58.7% rated their experience as poor or terrible, and more than 61% reported waiting six months or longer.

In relation to the internet, the majority of parents believe children should be given their first phone when they are aged 11–15, with 55% selecting 13 as the appropriate age.

A majority support restrictions or outright bans on phones during the school day (72%).

Most parents said they had spoken to their children about bullying and consent, but a third (34%) had not discussed alcohol or drugs, with a further 39% responding “that’s the school’s job”.

The cost of living was also a concern, with 23% of households struggling financially amid rising energy, grocery and back-to-school costs.

Asked what they would introduce if they were taoiseach, 40% said free healthcare for all, 21% said housing for all, 11% said free childcare and 16% said “other”.

The survey also found that parenting styles have focused on a more balanced and connected approach, with almost 77% of parents saying they typically discipline by talking things through rather than using punishment.

Almost half of parents said their family eat dinner together every day, with a further 40% doing so a few times a week.

Psychologist and parenting expert Dr Mary O’Kane said the use of conversation rather than physical punishment is linked to better emotional outcomes for children and eating meals together creates a sense of connection.

“I am also heartened by how many families are still sharing regular meals together,” she said.

“Sitting around the table may seem simple, but it plays a powerful role in building communication skills, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.”

Richard Murphy, the owner of Schooldays.ie, said the survey was an opportunity to listen to parents after 20 years of providing online resources, and “to capture what family life in Ireland feels like right now”.

“What comes through very strongly is that parents are doing their very best: they are talking to their children about consent, bullying and mental health, they are striving for balanced, connected parenting in a world that is changing at speed,” he said.

“At the same time, the findings make it clear that families are under immense pressure – from long waits for assessments and mental health services to the rising cost of everyday life.

“It was important for us to run this survey so that parents have a clear point of reference, and so that schools, service providers and policymakers can see the realities behind the headlines.

“Our hope is that this report becomes a practical tool for parents and a catalyst for better supports for families across Ireland.”