Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I recently announced details of Ireland’s first national primary free school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools.

It ensures equity of opportunity in education, where all pupils are supported to fulfil their potential and reflects the importance this Government places on education. The scheme will benefit over 558,000 children and young people, across every county in Ireland, including some 23,074 children in Co Limerick, 13,586 children in Co Clare and 18,594 children in Co Tipperary. My Department does not hold data on the number of families of pupils in primary schools.

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.

Schools have received €96 per pupil and the funding, based on pupil enrolment figures, was paid in April.

This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to-school costs.