Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

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.

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