Written answer
School Uniforms
The review of Circular 32/2017 on reducing school uniform costs remains ongoing, with attention to affordability, comfort and sustainability. The Department does not currently collect comprehensive school-cost data; schools cannot require digital devices or voluntary contributions, and the forthcoming Student and Parent Charter Bill will strengthen engagement on these issues.
600. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 62819/26 of 7 September 2026, the current status of the review of Circular 0032/2017 on the cost of school uniforms referred to in the reply; the date on which that review is expected to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65403/26]
Comment on this
602. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 62819/26 of 7 September 2026, if her Department will begin to collect data on the total cost of sending a child to school, including voluntary contributions, uniforms, books and digital devices, given that this data is not currently collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65401/26]
Comment on this
603. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 62819/26 of 7 September 2026, if her Department will begin to collect data on the total cost of sending a child to school, including voluntary contributions, uniforms, books and digital devices, given that this data is not currently collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65400/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 600, 602 and 603 together.
My department has access to a subset of schools’ expenditure data gathered by the Financial Support Services Unit, however this does not include data on voluntary contributions or parents’ spending on uniforms or digital devices.
In relation to spending on books, all children and young people enrolled in primary, special and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme are provided with free schoolbooks/eBooks and core classroom resources.
Recent surveys from Barnardos and the Irish League of Credit Unions indicate that the cost of sending children and young people to school has increased and this is due in part to schools requesting parents to purchase digital devices.
That is why I have written to schools to advise them that there is no requirement from the department for a student to have their own digital device for school. I have also asked schools to fully consider the views of parents and guardians, as well as cost and equity implications, before introducing any new approach involving digital devices.
Voluntary contributions can be requested by schools; however, it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice. Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018, which was commenced in 2018, explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions such as boarding or fee-charging schools.
In relation to the review of Circular 32/2017, which relates to measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs, this work is ongoing. In addition to a focus on reducing costs for parents, the review is looking at the comfort and sustainability of school uniforms. My officials will continue to engage with the education partners, including the National Parents Council, as we progress this important work.
The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill will bring a focus on strengthening engagement between schools, parents and students, including on issues such as back-to-school costs and school uniform policies.