Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday I spoke about soccer hooliganism. I again ask that the House debate this issue following the dreadful behaviour of Shamrock Rovers fans at the weekend when they caused physical damage in Dundalk and subjected people in the town to mental abuse. Today I commend a young Dundalk player, Keith Ward, who handed his medal to one of the children present at the game. His gesture was a sign of great sportsmanship and showed sport at its best. I am looking at the bright side.

As the new school year begins, parents and families are feeling the burden of back to school costs, which are one of my priorities as my party's spokesperson on education. The former Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, issued a circular late last year in an effort to strengthen the role of parents in the decision making process on school uniform policy. The Department suggested schools send the questionnaire by February 2014 before deciding on the position to be adopted for the following academic year. As the new school year has started, I request that the findings of the survey be made available to the participating parents and the House for further discussion on how we could ease the financial burden on families. It is vital that we also examine how many schools participated in the survey. We should also be provided with reasons where schools declined to participate. I ask the Minister for Education and Schools, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, come to the House to discuss the issue of back to school costs, specifically the school uniform circular issued by the Department in December 2013. It is crucial that we establish consultation with parents in the education of their children, particularly in this area. I ask that the results of the survey on school uniforms be made available and that further consultation take place with parents on the issue of school costs.