The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has written to schools reminding them to avoid restrictive and costly uniform policies which are putting families under unnecessary financial strain.
The commission asked schools to review uniform policies, adding that it has received complaints from families "who feel they have limited choice when purchasing uniforms".
Some school policies mean families are paying more for branded uniforms when they could be given the opportunity shop around to get the best value for money.
The commission gave five key recommendations to ensure suitable, reasonably priced and good-quality uniforms are available to all parents.
The recommendations were as follows:
- Uniform items should be as generic as possible
- Iron-on or stitch-on crests should be available
- Avoid appointing a single exclusive supplier for uniforms
- Any exclusive suppliers should be appointed after a competitive process
- Schools should regularly review arrangements with exclusive suppliers
CCPC Director of Communications Gráinne Griffin said that after writing to schools last year and again now there is still a "really mixed picture".
"Definitely some schools are changing and that's really positive, but we're also hearing from parents who say it's getting worse."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said there are examples of parents buying full regular school uniforms, while also being expected to purchase bespoke PE gear.
She said this is "too much", adding that parents "are still being forced to go to exclusive suppliers with no choice".
"There's a lack of competition in the market as a result, and we need to see change."
Ms Griffin said that schools argue that "it's just been this way for years" and the school uniform policy is a "longstanding arrangement" with suppliers.
However, she said there is an "appetite" among parents for a shakeup of the whole approach to shopping for school uniforms.
"We hear from parents who contact our helpline, and the frustration from parents who say I am maybe paying €15 for a polo shirt that's crested.
"I can go into my local supermarket and I could be getting a multi-pack for less than the cost of one crested polo shirt," she said.
"And that's before you even get into girl's pinafores, school coats.
"All of these things that can be so expensive and just put such pressures on parents at a time when we're seeing costs going up across the board," she said.
Let parents shop around, says CCPC
Ms Griffin said that parents are generally "pro [school] uniform."
"There's huge support for it.
"This is about the cost and the shopping around."
Ms Griffin said one parent reported receiving a poll from the school about getting better quality uniforms but that the school did not mention cost.
And when the school uniform was rolled out, "parents were in shock because it was actually so much more expensive".
She said the best way to consider quality and cost is to let people shop around.
"If these provided uniforms are such good quality, then they shouldn't be afraid of a bit of competition."
Ms Griffin said it has been Department of Education policy almost for the last 10 years that shools should provide sew-on crests that can be applied to generic uniforms.
She said custom school uniforms and sole suppliers "are against departmental policy" and what is needed is "leadership," which some principals and school boards of management have demonstrated.
Ms Griffin encouraged more parents to get in touch with the CCPC which she said would ensure their voice is heard in the debate.
"But also contact your [school] board of management, let them know that you want alternatives...generic items or competition in the market and ask them to take action to reduce the cost on you."
