Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the anticipated cost of the provision of free schoolbooks for all second level students; if the matter was given consideration in the context of Budget 2023; if so, the way in which a decision not to proceed with free schoolbooks for second level students was arrived at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49865/22]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to extend the rollout of the free schoolbooks scheme announced in Budget 2023 to first-year pupils in post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49672/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 98 together.

The Exchequer has limited financial resources. It was a huge achievement to secure funding for the groundbreaking measure that provides free books to our pupils in primary schools. The Programme for Government commitment was to expand the free school book scheme to “schools nationwide, as resources allow”; and this remains the case. My aim for future budgets is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff, and families in the education sector.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As part of Budget 2023, I secured funding to provide free books to primary school students in recognised primary schools from September 2023. The measure will eliminate the cost to families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks.

Now that funding has been secured, my Department will engage with the education partners to roll out the measure in time for the September 2023 school year. The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme, the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred schools in recent years and the planning work already commenced.

The Free Book Scheme will be available to all recognised primary in the free education sector. There is no funding for any educational establishments outside of this category.

It is planned that funds will be provided to schools to purchase school books and classroom resources. Schools will be encouraged to seek the best value for money when procuring school books and related classroom resources. Schools buy books directly from school book retailers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme. Ninety-six percent of primary schools participate in the book rental scheme.

Guidance on the procurement of books will be developed as part of our further engagement process with schools, parent and management bodies and other stakeholders on this measure. This will ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils.