€5.3 million to provide free schoolbooks for students in Louth
Funding allocation of €5,335,876 will support 17,040 primary school students and 14,101 post-primary students in Louth
Funding of more than €5.3 million to provide free schoolbooks for 31,141 students across Louth for the 2026/2027 school year has been announced today by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton.
The funding allocation of €5,335,876 will support 17,040 primary school students and 14,101 post-primary students in Louth, which is hoped will relieve families of a significant back-to-school expense ahead of the new academic term.
In total, 92 schools across Louth are benefiting from the scheme this year, including 19 post-primary schools and 73 primary schools, supporting students in communities right across the county.
Speaking today, Minister Naughton said: "The Free Schoolbooks Scheme is making a real difference for families by easing back-to-school costs and ensuring that every child and young person in our schools has the resources they need to learn and succeed.
"The Free Schoolbooks Scheme covers schoolbooks and a range of essential classroom resources, removing the need for parents and guardians to purchase or rent these items at the start of the school year.
“I want to thank principals, teachers and school staff throughout Louth for their work in implementing this scheme. Their efforts are ensuring that students benefit fully from this important Government support.”
News of the funding was welcomed by Louth Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan. Deputy McGreehan said that, "money should never be a barrier to education, and every child should have the materials they need for school without parents worrying about the cost.
“The free schoolbooks scheme is about ensuring every student has equal access to the resources they need to learn and succeed in the classroom."
The Fianna Fáil TD added however that, “while this initiative is an important step in supporting families, I remain concerned about the increasing financial pressure being placed on parents as schools continue the transition towards digital learning.
“Many families are still expected to purchase laptops and other devices, creating another significant expense at a time when households are already under strain.
“The free schoolbooks scheme is a positive and practical measure, but it is important that the wider costs associated with digital education are also considered so that families receive the full support they need.”