The Oireachtas Education Committee has criticised schools for failing to reduce the cost of putting children through school.
It's published a new report calling on schools across the country to introduce generic uniforms, ban workbooks and start book rental schemes.
The Committee says patron bodies are suffering a 'vacuum of leadership' - and calls on them to formally respond to its recommendations.
The report's author, Labour's Aodhán Ó Riordán, says the relationship between schools and parents is becoming purely financial - with a knock-on effect on pupils:
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