Discounted school uniforms good news for parents – Noone

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has welcomed the introduction of budget school uniform ranges in a number of supermarkets in an attempt to ease the financial burden on parents at back to school time.

“I welcome the introduction of budget school uniform ranges in a number of supermarkets in an attempt to ease the financial burden on parents at back to school time. A discount retailer is to offer uniforms for primary pupils for €6.50 from next Thursday. The range includes trousers or skirts for €1.99 each, sweaters for €2.49 and polo shirts at €1.99 for a two-pack.  

“This is in keeping with efforts by the Department of Education to start a discussion around this matter, and clearly reflects the will of parents to save money at what is a very expensive time of year.  

“A recent school costs survey conducted by Barnardos puts the average cost of a school uniform for a child in senior infants at €95, rising to €275 for a first year pupil. Offering parents the possibility of significant savings is very welcome and something that the Department of Education is in favour of.  

“Recently, the Department of Education issued a circular which called on all school authorities to seek the opinion of parents by February in order to outline each school’s uniform policy for the coming year, as part of the effort to drive down costs. However, around 52% of parents, according to the Barnardos school costs survey, had not received this survey – so clearly there is still some way to go in many schools.  

“With the introduction of discounted uniforms in a number of retail outlets in the country, we are beginning to see real choice. It’s clear that parents want this, and indeed that many are still in favour of uniforms, but we need to make sure that the cost of sending children to school is as low as possible – and these new discounted uniforms are one great way to do that”.