Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Deputy welcomes this measure. Each year, the Irish League of Credit Unions outlines the pressure on parents in terms of school costs. Surveys carried out by my Department have shown that the principles I have put into this keen cost approach are ones that parents generally support. The type of issues we will be looking at in terms of whether a school is compliant include whether a school is providing for generic choice for school uniforms and other items; whether the items are available in various stores; whether the school operates a book rental scheme and whether, if it has an exclusive agreement with a provider, it is tendered regularly. These are fairly clear issues on which we can make an assessment of whether a school is making a reasonable contribution towards keeping costs down for parents. It is perfectly reasonable that schools that are making the effort would be given a premium in terms of support from the State. It is a partnership and that approach is one that not only asks everyone to do this, which is important, but also provides an incentive for schools that make a real effort.

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