Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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619. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the free schoolbooks scheme for students in Junior Cycle years; if consideration has been given to including private schools as part of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11275/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. 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.

As you are aware, on the 5th of February this year, I announced the details of the final phase of the Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme, which extends the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme to all Senior Cycle, including Transition Year, students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.

The revised guidance for post-primary schools was published on 4th March and provides advice and support to schools on how the scheme is to be implemented. It can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes

The funding provided under Budget 2025 is specifically to provide free school books to students enrolled in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. Schools in the Free Education Scheme are paid a range of grants, payable on the basis of a school’s enrolment and may also apply for funding towards the cost of capital works.

Private fee-charging post-primary schools are not in the Free Education Scheme and are therefore not eligible to receive funding under the Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme.