Government to review school uniform costs amid parent concern

What the Barnardo's survey found with increasing financial concern

A new Barnardo’s survey has laid bare the scale of the worry facing families as the new term approaches.

More than half of parents of both primary and secondary school students said they are concerned about expenses for the upcoming school year.

Over 70% of the 704 parents surveyed said they are worried about meeting the cost of uniforms, with one describing the costs as "a scandal".

Barnardo’s National Manager Stephen Moffatt told Newstalk that the average cost of a school uniform is now around €230, a figure that has "snuck up over the last number of years".

He added that a growing number of schools are requiring crested tracksuits as well as crested uniforms, and that some are asking parents to buy specific digital devices such as iPads or laptops costing upwards of €800 or €900.

What the school uniform review will look at

Children’s Minister Norma Foley today launched the first National Strategy for Women and Girls.

Under which, the Department of Education will review its circular on school uniforms and consider their affordability, comfort and sustainability.

The current guidance, issued to schools in September 2017, states that all basic uniform elements should be purchasable from generic retail stores.

The guidance also states that schools should use iron-on or sew-on crests instead of pre-crested garments.

Opposition reaction

The Labour Party said the excitement of returning to school has been replaced by "financial anxiety", while Sinn Féin accused the Coalition of failing parents still waiting for updated guidance on slashing uniform costs.

The party’s education spokesperson Darren O’Rourke called on Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to "act now" as children return to school at the end of this month.

The pressure on household budgets echoes wider back-to-school strain across the country.

You can find more of our cost-of-living coverage here.