Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Enormous savings can be effected in that regard but also a huge reduction in the level of concern and stress parents face when their children return to school. I hope I will see the day when every school will have a good quality book rental scheme as is the case in many schools.

Regarding school uniform costs, like the Deputy I have occasion to be involved on behalf of family members in shopping for school uniforms and checking prices. All of the very large department and chain stores give extraordinarily high quality value for money in school clothes. I understand some schools may have more expensive requirements such as crests but if a jumper must have a crest its cost can increase by €25. While we are in this financial emergency a profound argument can be made for schools allowing parents to choose the cheaper chain store options, which are nicely made and very good value for money. That will be a matter for individual school communities and school boards but we could save parents a great deal of stress if we emphasised access to value for money options regarding the annual return to school.

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