Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this very important Bill. I fully support the Bill, which would mandate all schools to adopt a cost-conscious uniform policy. As a parent, I have seen the cost of school uniforms increase massively over the years. It used to be the case that not so long ago we would have been able to buy one or two branded items such as a school jumper or a school tie. Other items such as polo shirts, trousers or shoes could be bought at any shop if they were the right colour. This allowed multiple retail options and allowed parents to shop around for the best value, or even to shop second-hand sometimes. That option is increasingly being taken away as more and more schools introduce expensive branded shirts, track suits, bags, coats and PE gear. Uniforms are supposed to signify unity and equality but now they just mean another additional cost for families when there is a cost-of-living crisis going on. It costs between €40 to €50 for one secondary school jumper now. I have three children that were at high school in the past 18 months and I know for a fact that one jumper per child does not happen. A family is paying for multiple jumpers because they go through them and they do not last a year. It costs hundreds of euro just to put a uniform on them that has to be changed and adapted as winter comes and again as spring comes as children grow. If a family has multiple children, they are paying far more. School uniforms cost an absolute fortune for middle-income earners but for low-income earners it is an entire week's wages that comes out of that family's costs just to put a uniform on their child's back.

A circular published just eight years ago by the then Minister for Education included measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of uniforms and other costs. The circular, which the school authorities were expected to adopt, included the following principles for cost-effective practices: all elements of school uniform should be part purchased from various stores; the iron-on or sew-on crest should be used; whenever possible generic rather than branded items should be specified; parents should be provided with a list of all required items along with the costs of these required items; and the schools should consult with parents on their views and suggestions on the reductions of the costs of these uniforms. The template questionnaire that would address the cost-effective practices should be sent out to parents once every three years. As a parent I have not seen that. The boards of management should review this annually. As a member of a board of management, I have never seen this. It was stated that the schools should implement this circular from September 2017 onwards. Anyone who has school-age children will know that these proposals were not introduced in most schools. In fact, schools seem to be going in the other direction. In recent years more and more schools have turned to expensive branded options under the guise of promoting equality and inclusivity. The reality is that it just causes additional stress to parents and it has resulted in the exclusion of students who in some cases have not been allowed to take part in activities without school-branded clothing. It is a ridiculous situation that students are actually being excluded as a result of a school uniform policy. It completely goes against the intentions of the uniform in the first place. Students are also subject to harsh disciplinary action when not adhering to school uniform policy. The fact is that schools themselves do not seem to be adhering to Circular 0032/2017 regarding school uniforms. One of the key proposals of the school uniform was to create a more focused educational environment and reduce distractions. It completely defeats the purpose when students are penalised for something as small as a white stripe on a pair of shoes or for their tie being tied up the wrong way. This puts focus on the appearance of students and not on their educational environment.

Because school uniform policies have changed so much over the years, in many cases items can no longer be reused or passed down to siblings. This means that parents are forced to buy brand new uniforms all over again with the expense to the family. How are parents expected to cope in a cost-of-living crisis? Back-to-school costs are astronomical. The Irish League of Credit Unions found that one in three parents now say that they get into debt covering their children's school costs when they go back to school in August and September. Over one third of parents say they are forced to deny their child at least one item when going back to school. Instead of two €50 jumpers, it is now one €50 jumper and the student has to make sure that this jumper is as good as new every single day or washed. It now costs on average €1,450 for primary school parents and €1,560 for secondary school parents to send their children to school. Families simply just cannot afford this. They are squeezed from every angle.

On top of this, for families in Donegal and across the country the defective concrete crisis is adding an unbearable cost to this desperate situation when these kids are living in crumbling homes. Their parents are trying to heat these homes and pay their mortgage. They are being squeezed to death and they cannot pay for these uniforms. Many homeowners face impossible decisions while trying to pay their mortgage. What will they do: pay the mortgage in September or put a uniform on their child's back? They are choosing to put the uniform on the child's back and then the banks have the cheek to come and chase them for their house.

Given that the 2017 circular was completely ineffective in addressing this cost of uniform,s it is clear that this Bill is needed to promptly address this issue to support struggling families. I urge the Government to support Sinn Féin's Bill and to address the increase in back-to-school costs for hundreds of thousands of families across Ireland.

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