Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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413. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to reduce the cost of schoolbooks, uniforms and voluntary contributions for families in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25142/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In early February, details were announced of the final phase of the free schoolbooks scheme - the extension of the scheme to Senior Cycle, including Transition Year, students.

For the first time, all children and young people enrolled in primary, special and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme will be provided with schoolbooks and core classroom resources for the 2025/26 school year.

The free schoolbooks scheme will benefit almost one million children and young people and will help to ease the financial burden facing families at back-to-school time.

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.

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

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 a range of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used.

Schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores. Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be tendered for regularly.

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

The aim of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill, which is being progressed through the Oireachtas, is to 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.

Additionally, under the Programme for Government, my Department will promote uniform swap shops in all primary schools, making uniforms more affordable and supporting sustainability.

Voluntary contributions may be sought from parents, provided it is made clear to parents that there is no compulsion to pay. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.