The following motion was moved by Deputy Darren O'Rourke on Wednesday, 4 November 2025: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
Debate resumed on amendment No. 1:
To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following:
Dáil Éireann:
notes that the Government:
— recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families;
— is committed to ensuring that schools will adopt measures to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs in line with Programme for Government Commitments; and
— has commenced work to review Circular 32/2017 which sets out the measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the costs of school uniforms and other costs as noted in Education Plan 2025, and this includes:
— the establishment of a working group, which includes representatives from the National Parents Council and from the education partners;
— planned engagement with parents as well as with children and young people to obtain their views; and
— work to promote uniform swap shops in all primary schools, thereby making uniforms more affordable and supporting sustainability, as committed to in the Programme for Government;
recognises that while decisions on school uniforms are a matter for individual schools and Boards of Management, Circular 32/2017 already sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school, including:
— schools are advised that they should select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from a range of retailers;
— only 'iron on' or 'sew on' crests should be used;
— schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores;
— where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be tendered for regularly; and
— schools should also consult with parents as to their views on how to reduce costs;
further recognises that the Government has introduced a number of measures to alleviate the costs associated for schools including:
— €170 million allocated to provide free schoolbooks for some 940,000 children and young people enrolled in schools in the Free Education Scheme, from the start of the 25/26 school year;
— €39 million secured in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs;
— over €69 million of additional funding allocated to school transport services as part of Budget 2026, and this is to provide for the additional demand for pupils with special educational needs on school transport services and increased bus contractor running costs; and
— additional funding of €58 million allocated under cost-of-living measures to the School Transport Scheme, to allow for continued reduced transport fees in 2025;
further notes that the Government is progressing the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill, which will strengthen engagement between schools, parents and students, including on issues such as school costs and uniform policies; and
accordingly declines to give the Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025 a second reading.
- (Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth)
I must now deal with a deferred division relating to the ministerial amendment to the Second Reading motion on the Education (Affordable School Uniforms Bill) 2025. On the question, "That the amendment to the motion be made", a division was claimed, and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.
Amendment put:
The Dáil divided: Tá, 72; Níl, 62; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Denise Mitchell.
Amendment declared carried.
Question put: "That the motion, as amended, be agreed to."
The Dáil divided: Tá, 72; Níl, 62; Staon, 0.
Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Denise Mitchell.
Question declared carried.
Cuireadh an Dáil ar athló ar 8.47 p.m. go dtí 8.47 a.m., Déardaoin, an 6 Samhain 2025.
The Dáil adjourned at 8.47 p.m. until 8.47 a.m. on Thursday, 6 November 2025.