Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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796. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to instate a uniform policy for schools in order to ensure cost-effective options are available to students and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2040/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school.

Ultimately, decisions on school uniforms is a matter for individual schools and Boards of Management.

Taking the above into account, my Department’s Circular 0032/2017, was issued to the Boards of Management of all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to the Chief Executives of the Education and Training Boards. This Circular sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school.

Under these measures, schools should select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used.

Schools should also consult with parents as to their views on how to reduce costs.

The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann. When enacted, it will improve how schools engage with students and their parents by requiring each school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities, including school costs. This will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools.