According to reports from media outlets this morning, Fergus Finlay, the Chief Executive of Barnardos, a children’s charity, has lashed out at Irish schools describing them as "bullying and forcing" parents to pay "extraordinary prices" for uniforms for their children.

Mr Finlay who, earlier this month, had lambasted the government about the ‘soaring costs’ of extras parents have to pay for their children’s ‘free education’ has come out today to again criticise schools who force cash-strapped parents to pay up to €50 for a school uniform jumper.

According to breakingnews.ie, “The Barnardos Chief says thousands of families will not get the back-to-school allowance, and should demand better treatment from their schools.

Mr Finlay said: "There are a lot of families applying now because of strained 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."

This year some 100,000 Irish families will receive Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance although reports today have said there will be delays in payment until mid September.

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