Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, the Minister, Norma Foley, announced that she will continue the free primary school book scheme for 2024. She said the funding is to provide, at a minimum, schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks and any surplus is to be used to eliminate the cost of pens, pencils, etc. However, the funding has been cut by 16 6%, from €96 last year to €80 per pupil this year, despite the fact that every single book, copybook and workbook has increased in price since last year. Even where schools made every effort to get secondhand books last year, there were was still no surplus funding to buy pens, pencils and calculators. For example, the third class core textbook for the new maths curriculum costs €26 and the sixth class book costs €27.30. Will the Minister ask the Minister for Education to review this? I ask her to speak to stakeholders, including parents and schools, so that she can assess the real costs.

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