Louth TD calls for more affordable school uniforms

Sinn Féin is to bring legislation to the Dáil this week which they say will make school uniforms more affordable.

Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said the Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025 would help parents “who are being hammered by the cost-of-living crisis.”

The bill contains a provision that schools must develop and implement an  affordable school uniform policy in consultation with parents and students; that each school’s uniform policy must be made available publicly, must be easily understood, and must clearly state whether each element of the school uniform is optional or required; that schools must ensure parents are able to purchase all elements of the uniform from various retailers; that only iron-on or sew-on school crests can be required and that the use of branded items be kept to a minimum.

Deputy Ó Murchú said the background to the bill was based on research from a large number of organisations including the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), credit unions and Barnardos.

He said: “The CCPC research shows that restrictive school uniform policies are stifling competition, driving up costs and embedding avoidable expenses that are not sustainable for households. Barnardos found that 14% of respondents said their school had an affordable school uniform option, while 92% said their school required crested or branded uniform items”.

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He said the Sinn Féin bill would provide “a practical response and a real relief to families.”

He said: “It would mandate every school to adopt a cost-focused uniform policy. 

“It is built on common-sense principles that seek to ensure clear labelling of optional versus mandatory items to prevent unnecessary spending, to provide multiple retail options so that parents can shop around for the best value, and to minimise the use of expensive branded items that can exclude students from activities”.