Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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377. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will work towards introducing regulations that all public schools will be required to have generic uniforms with the possibility of school crest patches that can be sown on. [44898/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Education Act 1998, all recognised schools are managed by the school board of management on behalf of the schools’ patrons or trustees or the relevant Education and Training Board (known as the management authority).

Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of uniforms.

My Department issued Circular 32/2017 which sets out Principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schoolsto reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs.

These include that all elements of a school uniform should be purchasable from various stores, only “iron on” or “sew on” crests should be used, that wherever possible generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc) and the provision to parents of a list of all required items indicating the likely costs of these required items at best value stores.

It also sets out that schools should consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives in relation to school uniforms.