The grants issued don't really go anywhere to cover the cost of uniforms, which in secondary schools can be as much as �120

Pat McKee St Vincent de Paul

"In one region in the north of the city, �800 was given last year towards the cost of school uniforms, and the average in my own area is about �500."

Parents in receipt of income support do receive a grant from the Education and Library Board, but Mr McKee claimed the shortfall was still considerable.

Secondary school pupils, whose parents receive income support or Job Seekers allowance are entitled to �59.50 if they are under 15 and �64.50 for those over 15.

Primary school pupils are not eligible for a uniform grant.

"The grants issued don't really go anywhere to cover the cost of uniforms, which in secondary schools can be as much as �120," said Mr McKee.

"Primary schools aren't as bad because the uniforms are pretty standard with sweatshirts and skirts and trousers.

"But with secondary school uniforms it goes beyond the standard uniform with sports gear, and a change of uniform so �100 to �120 is about the average.

Guidelines

"All we can do is give parents about half the cost and then unfortunately the onus falls back onto them."

Meanwhile, schools in England and Wales are to be given new government guidelines over uniforms.

In August 2001, the Family Welfare Association (FWA) saw a 16% increase in the number of needy families applying for grants to pay for school uniforms - and this was on top of a steady rise in applications over recent years.

The association found the average cost of a basic primary school uniform from a chain store, including sports kit, was �92 for boys and �114.50 for girls.

The cost increases for secondary school uniform, with the average cost for boys totalling �156.50 (including �33.50 for sportswear) and �157 for girls (�53 for sportswear).

The FWA said many uniforms could only be bought in specialist shops and could cost two or three times the amount quoted.

Now the Department for Education at Westminster has announced that, in future, schools and governing bodies must ensure uniforms are affordable as well as appropriate.