asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of prosecutions initiated under the Prices and Charges Order, 1973, in relation to school clothing; and, in particular, the number initiated in respect of Confirmation and First Communion outfits since 1st April, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Clothing Price Prosecutions.
45.
There have been no prosecutions for breach of the Prices and Charges (Notification of Increases) Order, 1973, as amended, in relation to school clothing.
Is the Minister aware that there is much disquiet, certainly in Dublin, among mothers of children who are to participate in these religious duties in so far as the prices of these items are concerned?
I am so aware and I would again use the opportunity of a parliamentary question to urge on Deputies and through them, to urge on the public, the desirability of people coming forward with complaints. We can only invoke the mechanisms if we have complaints. Deputies would be doing a service not only to their own constituents but to the community as a whole if they would urge people to bring forward complaints. I shall be happy to investigate any complaint coming before me.
Only a small number of firms specialise in this type of outfit. Would the Department's inspectors not carry out an investigation in order to determine whether there is over-charging?
The Deputy asked about prosecutions. There have been complaints and in the matter of a follow-up to complaints there have been some satisfactory outcomes. For example, there have been refunds and price adjustments. There have been activities producing satisfactory results which did not end in prosecutions. I should not wish the Deputy to conclude that there was no activity even if there were no prosecutions arising.