Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate my appreciation for the opportunity to outline what is, as the Senator said, a ground-breaking measure for our primary schools, but especially families who face specific and definite challenges when it comes to resourcing children for school. This €50 million investment is a positive, proactive measure to support families going forward. It also underpins our strong commitment in the Department of Education and throughout the Government to ensure that every child has the opportunity to maximise his or her potential and capacity. Supporting children by providing resources will be central to doing that.

As I outlined, schools will have the autonomy to decide from whom they will purchase the books. I have also outlined that there will be detailed guidance on that. I am confident that schools will need to have that information around the Easter break. The objective is to provide that information to the schools at that time, with funding to be made available thereafter for schools to make their own purchase arrangements.