FF candidate Claudia Kennedy says Free School Books Scheme for Junior Cycle students welcome

FF local election candidate Claudia Kennedy (right) with Minister Foley at the 2023 FF Ard Fheis

placeholder image — FF local election candidate Claudia Kennedy (right) with Minister Foley at the 2023 FF Ard Fheis

Claudia Kennedy, local candidate in June’s county council elections, who is also a secondary school teacher, has welcomed the recent announcement by FF Education Minister Norma Foley that she had brought a memo to cabinet with details of the expansion of the free school books scheme.

Kennedy who is running in the Donegal Electoral area (DEA) said that in Budget 2024 Minister Foley secured €50million in funding to expand the free books scheme to Junior Cycle Students in post primary education which will begin in September 2024.

The FF candidate said:

“As a secondary school teacher I am very aware of the financial burden and stress on parents and guardians every September paying for school books either through Book Rental Schemes or having to purchase new books. I welcome this announcement and Memo from FF Education Minister Foley today for free school books for all Junior Cycle Students which will begin in September 2024. This will be a great help to families especially at this time due to the cost of living challenges. This is a great initiative”.

Kennedy continued: “In Budget 2024 Minister Foley also announced an additional 92 million euros in funding for The School Transport Scheme, an increase of 1,216 Special Needs Assistants and 744 additional Special Education Teachers. FF has always and continues to be committed to funding education.”