Louth TD says free book scheme will help ease back to school financial burden

Fine Gael TD for Louth and East Meath, Fergus O’Dowd, has welcomed news that the programme for government commitment to deliver free school books to primary schools and special schools will be in place by September.

O’Dowd said:

“This announcement will certainly be welcomed by families across the country, this measure will assist households with the rising cost of living and ease the significant financial strain at back to school time.

“In 2020, the Government announced a new pilot programme which provided free schoolbooks to more than 100 primary schools which were part of the DEIS programme, in both rural and urban areas. 

“I’m delighted to see this pilot project expanded to better support families and pupils.

“The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 558,000 pupils in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

O’Dowd added: 

“This welcome scheme will ensure that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any school books, workbooks or copy books in primary schools as of autumn 2023.”

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today  announced details of the new scheme which provides free schoolbooks in primary schools and special schools.

Minister Foley said:

“I am delighted to announce details of the funding package of over €50 million secured in Budget 2023 for the landmark new scheme to provide free schoolbooks in all primary schools and special schools.

“This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to- school costs.

“The scheme will provide, at a minimum, free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all pupils enrolled in primary and special schools in the 2023/24 school year.

“Around 558,000 children and young people, their families and their schools will benefit from the initiative. The objective of the new scheme is about ensuring every child has the resources required to access education and also easing financial burdens surrounding the back to school costs which can be a cause of financial difficulty for many families each year.

“By providing our primary school children with free school books, we are enhancing their educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home.”

The new scheme means that:

• Schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks will be provided for all pupils from schools

• There is no need parents or guardians to buy or rent these items

• Schools will be provided with sufficient funding to cover the costs of providing these items

• Schoolbooks are the property of the school and must be returned at the end of the school year.

• Schools will be provided with additional administration support.

To support the administration of this scheme the Department is allocating a grant to primary schools for the 2023/24 school year, based on the size of the school, to assist with any additional work required in order to implement the scheme. 

Schools may use this grant to employ an individual to carry out administrative work on the scheme.