Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. The junior cycle book scheme was published on 5 March 2024. It provides free books to second level students up to junior certificate, excluding fee-paying schools.

Under Article 42.4 of the Constitution, the State has a duty to supplement and give reasonable aid to private and corporate educational initiatives. To the extent that reasonable aid is provided, it must be applied universally, equally and without discrimination. However, this scheme by its nature is discriminating against parents who choose to send their children to fee-paying schools. It is hard to see how this is not contrary to the Constitution.

While some families may choose to spend their money on cars or multiple holidays, some focus their family expenditure on education. For families who make this prudent financial decision, it seems that our Government is not supportive of such parents and choose not to treat all children of the nation equally. The discrimination against fee-paying parents is further highlighted by the recent announcement that ICT funding is to be reinstated to schools, with fee-paying schools only being provided a 50% funding rate. This is another example of the Government not treating children equally. It seems the Government is of the impression that all fee-paying students are from a privileged background, which is not the case in many cases. Families make sacrifices to provide the best opportunity they can for their children's education.

Another criticism of the scheme revolves around the negative impact on the book retail industry in Ireland. In September 2023 The Irish Times reported that Eason's revenue was down by €2.5 million due to the scheme. An industry representative group called Bookselling Ireland stated the scheme was extremely challenging for the industry. If big retailers note a negative knock-on effect, small retailers will be lucky to stay open. Poor Government planning is on full display with the gross failures of this scheme as there is little consideration for the impact on fee-paying parents and industries. The Constitution acknowledges that the family is the primary and natural educator of the child and that parents are free to choose. It is a great shame that people are discriminated against for positive investment in their children's education, and that the book retail industry is at risk.