Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

972. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the reduction of the funding allocated for the schoolbooks scheme, when in 2023 it was estimated that €96 per child was necessary to help schools to ensure the new curriculum could be implemented with the right teaching and learning aids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20184/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government 2025 commits to provide free schoolbooks to all children in the free education system.

On April 10th last, I announced details of year three of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme which provides free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, to pupils in primary and special schools.

More than 550,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,221 primary schools, including over 127 special schools, will continue to benefit from this scheme.

At a minimum the scheme will continue to provide schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to all children and young people in primary and special schools, easing the financial burdens facing families during back-to-school time.

The investment of nearly €47 million in 2025 will continue to ensure that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks, workbooks or copybooks. Revised guidance for the 2025/26 school year has now issued to schools and any school with queries about the scheme can contact my Department directly.

Under the scheme, €80 per pupil will be paid for the 2025/26 school year in line with recognised pupil enrolment on 30 September 2024. As the scheme is now implemented in every recognised primary and special school it is expected that schools have used the funding provided in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 school years to purchase stocks of schoolbooks and other classroom resources. Many of these items are now available to schools for reuse in the 2025/26 school year and in future school years.

It is open to schools to look at their requirements and plan their budget across each of the years collectively. They may choose to spend more than €80 per pupil in one class and in turn, spend less than that per pupil in another class. In other words, while schools receive the money at the same per capita rate for all pupils, they can choose to spread that expenditure differently across the years depending on the requirements.

Special schools that have students enrolled in Post Primary programmes have received funding at the Post Primary per capita rate as set out under the Post Primary Schoolbooks Scheme.

My Department will also maintain the Administration Support Grant to assist with scheme implementation for the 2025/26 school year. This grant supports schools to implement the scheme and relieves the administrative burden on schools.

My Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, proposes to evaluate the schoolbooks scheme each year.