Barnardos says a number of families who have applied for the back to school allowance did so late and out of desperation.
20,000 families are still waiting to hear if they will get the allowance next month, to help meet the cost of uniforms and books.
The cost of a child starting primary school is around €400 - that jumps to €800 for secondary school students.
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But the Chief Executive of Barnardos Fergus Finlay told Newstalk's Breakfast many of the 20,000 families still waiting for the allowance simply won't qualify:
