Barnardos says it would cost just €103m to ensure each primary school child gets a truly free education.

The children's charity is launching a campaign today to persuade the Government to find the funds to pay for primary schooling.

There are more than half a million primary school pupils in the country, with parents forking out hundreds every year for books, transport, voluntary contributions to the school, and classroom resources.

Barnardos chief Fergus Finlay says the costs facing parents every September are frightening: