Minister urges schools to cut uniform costs

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn wants schools to stop insisting on expensive uniforms that are adding huge burdens to struggling families, but says he does not have the power to make them change their policies.

However, the minister has suggested the Oireachtas Education Committee should haul school management bodies in to try to push for changes to help hard-pressed parents.

Mr Quinn is to meet Barnardos, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and the primary and second level National Parents Councils to discuss the issue.