Quinn: Parents must mobilise on high uniform costs

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has said he is powerless to do anything about the costs of school uniforms and said it was up to parents to mobilise themselves.

The minister was quizzed in the Dáil over the prices. Jumpers alone can cost €75.

Mr Quinn said he favoured more generic uniforms for schools which parents could then customise with iron-on or sew-on crests.

However, he said: "The choice to implement that is not within my remit. That's a matter for the school, the board of management and the patron of the school.

"All I can say to the National Parents' Council at primary and secondary levels is that they (should) mobilise parents."