Dessie Ellis (Dublin North-West, Sinn Fein)

In most primary and post-primary schools, school uniforms are mandatory. School uniform policy is generally decided by each individual school's board of management. Increasingly, the cost of uniforms has become a significant concern for many families. This proposed legislation addresses these concerns and outlines a number of ways for schools to offer more cost-effective options for parents.

While we are being critical of their cost, we accept that school uniforms can have beneficial effects. They can promote a sense of pride, self-confidence and a feeling of belonging. They can contribute positively to a student's overall well-being. There is a belief among many teachers that school uniforms can help to prevent bullying as well. School uniforms also offer a practical and convenient solution to parents because they make the decision on what to wear going to school an easy one. It eliminates socioeconomic distinctions among students and removes the possibility of students being discriminated against based on their clothing. However, the cost of a child's uniform can quickly add up, especially if they are required to have a blazer, a tracksuit and other PE gear. Most likely the school uniform will have the school crest on the blazer or jumper. The cost of school uniforms can vary between schools but the average cost for a school uniform in Ireland is around €119 for primary schools and €211 for secondary schools. Additionally, parents can also spend on average around €100 on PE items. This can prove costly if a family is struggling financially. It will definitely be a financial burden on parents who have to buy school uniforms for a number of children.

Some reports have indicated that the total spend on school uniform items can be around €300. Although the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance offers some assistance to hard-pressed families, it falls short of the actual costs the family will incur. The CCPC has made a number of recommendations to help to reduce the costs for parents. The most obvious of these recommendations, which are reflected in this Bill, involves the use of generic uniforms with iron-on or sew-on crests. The implementation of these recommendations has not been consistent. Many schools expect parents to buy branded uniforms which can only be bought at certain shops. Such non-competitive arrangements restrict choice for parents and can lead to higher prices. This Bill aims to take the stress out of buying school uniforms by giving parents a choice as to where to buy uniforms and deliver good value, especially during this cost-of-living crisis.

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