Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

School uniforms is an issue that comes up regularly. I know it is not directly a budgetary issue but why is there a reluctance to engage with boards of management and patrons on this matter? For example, one must buy uniforms for a school in my community from one particular retailer. One does not have a choice and it costs an arm and a leg. It creates so much hardship for families leading up to the start of the school year. I do not know why the Department is reluctant to grasp that nettle and issue directives to boards of management to discontinue this type of practice. Is there a reason why the Department is reluctant to take such a measure?