Fergus Finlay, Chief Executive of Barnardos, has said that schools across the country are “bullying and forcing” families to pay extravagant prices for uniforms.
These comments come after it emerged that over 300,000 children may need to avail of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance this year.
Mr. Finlay added that parents are forking out as much as €50 for school jumpers, and he said that the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan must address that situation.
The Barnardos boss said that: “There are a lot of families applying now because of straitened circumstances who will be turned down because they don’t meet the income thresholds.
“I think parents have to band together about this.
“They have to insist through their parents council that they won’t be bullied or forced into buying only the expensive items.”