Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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370. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the provision of schoolbooks will be made to those who are being home schooled in the same way books are being provided free of charge for primary school students this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7334/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. This significant investment further reflects the Government’s commitment to a quality and inclusive school system with improved learning outcomes for every pupil.

This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families. This free schoolbooks measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in place in over 100 DEIS primary schools.

The measure will be extended to all pupils enrolled in recognised primary schools, including special schools.