The National Parents Council for primary school children says this autumn is shaping up to be the most expensive ever for the families of those returning to the classroom.
It's calling on the Government to scrap the practice of Voluntary Contributions which parents pay to run their respective local schools.
The fees per household can range from €200 to €400 per school year.
Áine Lynch of the National Parents' Council says the process is grossly unfair particularly for parents who have more than one child at primary school.
"The cost of living crisis adds to the pressure families are under with the back to school costs," she added.
"Parents often have more than one child and the cost is multiplied by the amount of children they have.
"So, it really is becoming a more significant issue for parents."
Meanwhile, all three teacher trade unions are to ballot members on industrial action over pay.
The Teachers Union of Ireland, is the latest union to urge the Government to return to the Workplace Relations Commission with what they describe as "an improved wage proposal that appropriately addresses the current cost-of-living crisis".
President of the TUI Liz Farrell, says spiralling prices are affecting members who began teaching after 2011, particularly hard.
