Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

The summer months should be a time of respite and enjoyment for families. However, for far too many families it is a time of stress and worry as they try to figure out how to get on top of back-to-school costs. The costs are absolutely enormous, as the research by the Irish League of Credit Unions and others have identified. Many families are getting into debt or struggling with their savings to try to ensure their children, particularly if there are multiple children, have the uniforms they need and to meet other back-to-school costs. I welcome the progress that has been made in recent years due to the campaigning of antipoverty groups and Opposition parties in the area of schoolbooks. However, it is still the case that we do not truly have free education at primary and post-primary levels in this State. It is still the case that people are shelling out significant sums for such items as iPads and tablets, for the so-called voluntary contributions due to the underfunding of schools, and for school uniforms. This Bill would make a significant difference. It would ensure that schools put in place an affordable uniforms policy to ensure there is maximum reuse of uniforms. It would require clear labelling in terms of what is mandatory and what is optional. It would ensure that people are able to buy items from multiple retailers. Some schools make great efforts to try to accommodate parents by ensuring that they have options and that there is flexibility there. Unfortunately, there are schools that go to equal lengths almost to require the purchase of expensive items that should not be necessary at all. This legislation can make a significant difference in terms of people's pockets.

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