Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding school uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53766/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department of Education and Skills does not purchase school uniforms and has no commercial mandate in this area. In this context, when schools are balloting the parents in their schools, I would expect for discussions to take place within school communities about the value of school uniforms.

With this in mind, it would seem prudent for manufacturing companies or retailers who have a stake in this area, to engage in a debate with those local communities, where the decisions of parents will be made.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of the proposed survey of parents on school uniforms; the level of consultation that has taken place with retailers or manufacturers of school uniforms and their employees’ representatives prior to the circular on the matter being published. [53780/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The timeline for the conduct of the school uniform ballots is a matter for each schools Board of Management. My Department suggests that questionnaires be sent to parents by February 2014 before deciding on the position to be adopted for the next school year.

In this context, when schools are balloting the parents in their schools, I would expect for discussions to take place within school communities about the value of school uniforms.

With this in mind, it would seem prudent for manufacturing companies or retailers who have a stake in this area, to engage in a debate within those local communities, where the decisions of parents will be made.