Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if private schools such as a school (details supplied) can avail of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24830/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced details of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this measure.

The total investment, of over €50 million, significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country. The implementation of the measure will build on the experience of the existing school book rental scheme which is available in the majority of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over 100 primary DEIS schools in recent years.

The funding provided under the scheme is specifically to provide free school books to recognised primary school pupils in the free education scheme, including special schools, from September 2023.