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School Uniforms

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2012

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Questions (11)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

11. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the meetings he or his Department have had with interested groups or persons in relation to his initiative regarding the need to reduce the cost of school uniforms; the number of schools that have been contacted and asked to participate in this scheme; and his projection in relation to the success or otherwise of this scheme. [30989/12]

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Oral answers (9 contributions)

I have previously put on the record of this House my support for any measures that can reduce uniform costs for parents, including measures such as the use of generic type uniforms or the use of sew-on crests or school badges. I have raised this matter informally with the National Parents Council at primary level and I recommend that the primary and post primary National Parents Councils mobilise parents' associations and schools' associations to raise this issue with school authorities. I have since discussed the matter again with the National Parents Council and a further meeting on this matter will take place in early September. However, any arrangements in this regard will have to be made between school authorities and parents. It is important that schools are sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms but about any matter that has cost implications for parents.

This is a racket. I do not know how many companies are involved but, in some cases, a school jumper costs €75.

And then the child loses it.

Yes, it is lost or damaged. The same jumper could be bought online for €15 instead of €75. Clearly, somebody is making a huge profit off the requirement for jumpers to have a badge or crest.

Are the Minister's hands tied on this issue? Is it a matter for each school to decide its own uniform policy? I understand that in some cases, the school itself receives part of the profit, which seems somewhat odd. The cost of uniforms is out of control and must be tackled. This is probably the last opportunity to raise the issue before the same problems arise with the start of the new school year in September. We all support the Minister's initiative, but nothing is happening locally. Can he indicate which, if any, schools have taken up the initiative? Unless action is taken, the current situation will continue and more parents will struggle to cope.

This is an issue that arises at the same time every year. I am personally aware of the costs involved as I have a young son and grandchildren. The most appropriate solution is for a school to opt for a generic colour for its uniform, which could be delivered by the large retail units. As it is, uniforms are often not manufactured in this country, so it is not a question of disrupting local employment. The school would then arrange for the clothing to be customised with a badge or crest. That was the option advised to me by people in the garment trade. The production of the badge may be outsourced but is conceived and delivered locally.

However, it is not within my remit to oblige schools to take this approach. Rather, it is a matter for the board of management and patron of each school, and there is a large number of players in that particular chain of decision making. All I can do is recommend that schools explore this option. All I can say to the National Parents Councils at both primary and secondary level is that they should seek to mobilise parents on this issue. I understand there are some 1,600 parents' associations affiliated to the national council at primary level, which is where the intervention must take place. The Department cannot, under any statutory instrument or legislation, compel a school to do X or Y in the area of uniforms.

It might be worthwhile for the Department to raise this issue with the Joint Managerial Body, Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, National Parents Councils and so on. The Minister knows better than anybody that these bodies are very effective lobbyists on other issues and could give a similar impetus in this case.

I agree that such an engagement would be useful. Perhaps the Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education would issue an invitation to the relevant management bodies to participate in a discussion on the issue. That could be very helpful.

The Minister has at his disposal a very big stick in the form of an ability to withhold funding. Is he prepared to use it to encourage action on this issue? It would be helpful to know exactly how much is being charged in every school in the country. It is unacceptable, in the current economic climate, to have this type of racket being carried on by a small number of companies.

Subject to confirmation - although I am fairly confident it is the case - I have no legal basis for varying the capitation funding available to schools that are delivering the curriculum on the basis of whether or not they offer the type of flexible uniform policy to which the Deputy referred.

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