Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has called on parents to revolt against the price of school uniforms as claims were made of jumpers costing €5 to manufacture being sold for €75 with schools receiving part of the profits.
Mr Quinn told the Dáil the National Parents Councils for primary and post-primary schools should "mobilise parents' and schools' associations to raise this issue with school authorities".
The Minister said he had no remit in this area. "The Department cannot, under any statutory instrument or legislation, compel a school to do X or Y in the area of uniforms."
Mr Quinn was responding during Dáil questions to Sinn Féin education spokesman Sean Crowe who described the price charged to parents for schools uniforms as "a racket". The Dublin South-West TD said he did not know how many companies were involved but "in some case a school jumper costs €75" to which Mr Quinn added "and then the child loses it".
Mr Crowe agreed and said the same jumper could be bought online for €15 instead of €75.
“Clearly, somebody is making a huge profit off the requirement for jumpers to have a badge or crest,” he said
"I understand that in some cases, the school itself receives part of the profit, which seems somewhat odd. The cost of uniforms is out of control and must be tackled."
Mr Quinn, who has previously called for parents' and schools' associations to mobilise on the issue, said he supported measures such as the use of generic type uniforms or the use of sew-on crests or school badges.
He had raised the issue with the National Parents Council at primary level and said a further meeting would take place in September. But "any arrangements in this regard will have to be made between school authorities and parents".
Mr Crowe said "unless action is taken, the current situation will continue and more parents will struggle to cope".
The Minister told him the most appropriate solution was for a school to opt for a generic colour for its uniform, which could be delivered by the large retail units.
"As it is, uniforms are often not manufactured in this country, so it is not a question of disrupting local employment. The school would then arrange for the clothing to be customised with a badge or crest."
He said "that was the option advised to me by people in the garment trade. The production of the badge may be outsourced but is conceived and delivered locally."
Asked by the Sinn Féin TD if his hands were tied Mr Quinn said: "All I can do is recommend that schools explore this option. All I can say to the National Parents Councils at both primary and secondary level is that they should seek to mobilise parents on this issue."
"I understand there are some 1,600 parents' associations affiliated to the national council at primary level, which is where the intervention must take place," the Minister said.
Fianna Fáil education spokesman Brendan Smith suggested it could be worthwhile for the Department to raise the matter with the joint managerial body, Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools as well as the National Parents Councils.
"The Minister knows better than anybody that these bodies are very effective lobbyists on other issues and could give a similar impetus in this case."
The Minister agreed that would be useful and suggested the Oireachtas education committee "would issue an invitation to the relevant management bodies to participate in a discussion on the issue".
