Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1082. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full details in relation to the free schoolbooks scheme at both primary and secondary school levels, by all items covered and the items not covered, by the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41741/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Education, I want to ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity of access to education that empowers them to thrive and realise their full potential.

In 2024, the free Schoolbooks Scheme was expanded from primary schools and rolled out to all children and young people enrolled in Junior Cycle years in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. In early February, I was delighted to announce the further expansion of the free Schoolbooks Scheme to all students in Senior Cycle years, including Transition Year, in the Free Education Scheme from the start of the new school year.

From September, for the first time, all children and young people enrolled in primary, special and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme will be provided with schoolbooks and core classroom resources. A funding package of over €123 million is available in 2025 to ensure we provide schoolbooks and classroom resources to all post-primary students within the Free Education Scheme.

My department published guidance for both the primary and post-primary schoolbooks schemes in consultation with stakeholders. The guidance is published at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes and provides schools with a detailed breakdown of items to be covered under the scheme.

Schools are permitted discretion in how the schoolbook grant funding is used on the basis that the funding removes the overall cost to parents of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks at primary level and, schoolbooks and core classroom resources at post-primary level. Core classroom resources are listed in Appendix 1 of the published post-primary guidance referenced above. Schools continue to have the autonomy under this scheme when selecting textbooks, and or resources to deliver the various subjects in the curriculum.

Where possible, and where surplus funding exists, schools can purchase additional classroom resources. My department does not propose to provide a prescriptive list of all items to be included by schools under ‘additional classroom resources’. The published scheme guidance offers some advice to schools on the type of additional classroom resources that may be purchased from any surplus funding.