Despite the prevailing climate of austerity Irish parents are forking out €33m on their children’s First Communions. On top of the staggering amount, families and friends of the little ones will lavish them with an extra €20 on cash gifts to mark the religious rite of passage.
The figures were compiled by EBS building society proving the First Communion business is a lucrative one despite the current pressures on family budgets.
An EBS spokesman told the Irish Daily Star: “Regardless of the economic environment . . . people are determined to stick with the long-standing traditions that have been in place in Irish society.”