Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We had a good discussion about this on Committee Stage and the Minister of State read out the same note. A strong case was made for a report to be produced by the Department on this issue. The rate was established in the 1980s. I am not sure whether body sizes have changed since that time because we do not have a report. We all have knowledge and experience. There is a major jump in prices, which puts pressure on families. Not all families are average.

As I said on Committee Stage, my 11 year old wears size nine shoes and school trousers for a 15 year old; he has been buying adult clothes for quite some time. This type of analysis should be carried out. The price differential is a serious issue. I can understand that changing the rules on shoe sizes would affect many adults. Can the Minister of State explain why the Department will not commission a report at this time? Why would the Department not carry out research instead of asking the industry or somebody else to come to it?

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