Details of free school book scheme for primary school pupils welcomed

A new groundbreaking scheme which will provide free schoolbooks in primary schools and special schools has been welcomed by the vice president of St Vincent de Paul in the north west. 

Details of the scheme were announced by the Minister for Education Norma Foley earlier this morning.

Schools across the county stand to benefit from the scheme. 

This initiative will provide not only free schoolbooks, but also workbooks and copybooks easing the financial burdens facing families in September as children return to school.

The vice-president of St Vincent de Paul in the north west, Rosa Glackin said: "It is great news, anything that eases financial pressure on families is to be welcomed."

This funding will also provide schools with an Administration Support Grant to assist with the roll out and implementation of the scheme to relieve the administrative burden on schools. The investment of over €50 million significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country and delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Government to extend the free school book pilot, currently in over 100 primary schools in the DEIS programme.

This scheme will also ensure parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any school books, workbooks or copy books as of autumn 2023. 

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."