Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
426. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the options, if any, open to parents who have been given no option but to purchase crested school jumpers from one supplier as part of their child’s uniform, but who cannot afford to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4341/23]
View answerAs Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school.
Ultimately, decisions on school uniforms is a matter for individual schools and Boards of Management.
Taking the above into account, my Department’s Circular 0032/2017, was issued to the Boards of Management of all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to the Chief Executives of the Education and Training Boards. This Circular sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school.
Under these measures, schools should select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used.
Schools should also consult with parents as to their views on how to reduce costs.
Under the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management of a school is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The Board of Management is accountable to the Patron of the school.
Whereas the Department of Education provides funding and policy direction for schools, the Department does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaint cases. The Department's role is to clarify for parents and students how their grievances and complaints against schools can be progressed.
A school may have a formal complaints process, in which case this should be followed in pursuing any complaint.
Where you are of the view that a school's Board of Management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate your complaint, it is open to you to raise the matter directly with the Chairperson of the Board of Management by correspondence marked “Private and Confidential”.
Further information is available on the gov.ie website: gov.ie/en/policy-information/complaints-about-schools/
The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann. When enacted, it will improve how schools engage with students and their parents by requiring each school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities, including school costs. This will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools.
