Irish Parents Seek Financial Aid to Purchase Back-to-School Gadgets: Survey

Irish parents are facing increasing pressure to purchase electronic devices for their children's school use, according to a recent survey.

The survey, conducted by the online tech marketplace Refurbed, showed that over 25 percent of parents reported seeking financial aid to buy these devices, which are considered essential for education, by 75 percent of respondents, The Irish Times reported.

Irish Parents Dealing With Financial Stress for Back-to-School Gadgets

The study revealed a growing trend of parents feeling compelled to invest in electronic devices, marking a 10 percent increase over the past two years.

Approximately 26 percent of parents sought financial assistance to acquire laptops and tablets, as the rising cost of living strains family finances. Financial stress resulting from the purchase of educational electronics was experienced by around a third of parents.

Many parents spent more than €200 ($217) on these devices, with half of them investing between €100 ($117) and €300 ($317). This expenditure was related to the school reopening, with 49 percent spending even more.

The popularity of refurbished technology is on the rise among this demographic, with over two-thirds expressing interest in purchasing refurbished devices for educational purposes. The potential cost savings and warranty protection of refurbished products drives this interest.

Pádraig Power, senior marketing manager at Refurbed, emphasized the need to educate parents about the advantages of refurbished technology. While some skepticism exists, Power noted that quality and warranty were essential factors for parents considering these products.

At the beginning of the survey, just 27 percent of parents leaned toward refurbished devices, while 63 percent favored new ones. Nevertheless, this perspective shifted after participants were informed about potential cost savings, causing a preference change. Only 14 percent of respondents remained uncertain.

Ireland's Refurbished Technology Market

Power acknowledged the increasing maturity of Ireland's refurbished technology market, linking it to heightened exposure and awareness.

Established in 2017 and introduced to Ireland in 2021, Refurbed centers on ecologically conscious and reasonably priced technology options. The company secured $17 million in funding during a Series A round in the previous year.

"There's been a new level of professionalism brought into Ireland with the refurbished market, and people are seeing that now," Power said in the Irish Times report.

"They have bought before, they are seeing us around. And the fact that one of our founders is a board member of [refurbished technology body] Eurefas, it really helps push the quality of refurbished devices," he added.

The survey encompassed over 500 parents across the State, shedding light on the challenges and decisions faced by families in the context of modern education's digital requirements. The findings underscore families' financial strains as technology increasingly integrates into educational settings.