Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Different schools have adopted different practices. In some schools, workbooks come under the rental scheme. While I am aware that these books cannot be reused, anecdotally, I understand that in some cases parents who rent the book that accompanies the workbook also receive a copy of the workbook. I admit this may not be the case in all schools.

With regard to my powers under the Act, my advice is that I do not have the power to require schools to have generic uniforms. For this reason, I am primarily concerned with using my power of persuasion. Parents' wishes also need to be taken into account, because parents dress their children and pay for their clothes. As the Deputy will be aware, some schools, primarily Educate Together schools, do not have school uniforms. As to whether one uses powers to require a school to have a uniform or not, I do not intend to change the current position under which schools are given a choice about having a uniform. In terms of uniform type, I am not sure whether a Minister can order schools to have a certain type of uniform.

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