Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what action she will take to make primary and secondary education genuinely free in light of the continuing cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23914/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was voted over €10.9bn gross expenditure in the annual REV for 2024. This represents a substantial investment in our education system and in our children and young people.

There are many different aspects to a child progressing through our school system and costs associated with these. These include school books, school uniforms, school transport and extra-curricular activities such as school trips. These vary from pupil to pupil and therefore, it is not possible to put a figure on all these costs, as requested by the Deputy.

However, I can confirm that my Department provides grant funding to schools to cater for various costs, including school running costs, ancillary services and minor works. There are various circulars from my Department that give guidance on the use of such funding. They also provide discretion to the school authorities in determining the level of activities, equipment and other resources needed by pupils enrolled in their individual schools. This recognises that schools are best-positioned to determine the priorities in their own particular school environment.

In recognition of the particular challenges facing some schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity (DEIS) Programme addresses educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way. I have increased the overall allocation for the DEIS programme to over €180 million in 2024.

In addition, I have introduced a free school book scheme for primary school pupils for the current school year. This free school book scheme will be expanded to Junior Cycle pupils from September for the coming school year 2024/25. I have allocated over €110m to these schemes, which will benefit some 770,000 pupils.

I have also maintained the reduced charges on school transport for the coming 2024/25 school year and continued the waiver for this year’s entry fees for students sitting the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations.

When allocating the additional cost of living funding of €90m in 2022 and a further €60m in 2023 to support schools facing increased running costs, my Department made clear my expectation that this additional funding should mean that schools would not have to seek additional contributions from parents as a consequence of the increased in the cost of living. While voluntary contributions may be requested by schools, it is important to note that it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice. In addition to these significant financial supports towards the running costs of schools, I also secured a permanent increase in the basic rate of capitation to €200 and €345 for primary and post primary pupils respectively for the coming school year, through an additional investment of €21 million.

In addition, supports are provided to parents of children attending school by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection through the payment of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance on an annual basis along with the new free school meals initiative that is currently being rolled out further within certain schools.