The Waterford President of the Irish Primary Principal's Network says there would be no debate around back to school costs, if schools were adequately funded.
A new survey from Barnardos shows parents of primary school students spend up to 100 euro on books.
While a fifth of parents of secondary school pupils fork out over 300 euro.
Education Minister Richard Bruton recently announced proposals for schools to introduce generic uniforms, and book rental schemes, as a means of keeping education costs down.
The Minister said that schools who introduce the cost-saving measures will receive a premium capitation payment when they're restored over the coming years.
Maria Doyle is President of the IPPN, and former Principal of the Mercy Primary School in Waterford.
She says that putting conditions on the restoration of state grants is worrying.
