Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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938. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of any delays in the post-primary schoolbook scheme this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46415/25]

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 the start of the current school year, 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.

Funding was released to post-primary schools in March 2025 so that schools had sufficient time to implement the scheme in advance of the 2025/26 school year. A dedicated schoolbooks helpline (01 889 2089) has been in operation over the past number of months to support schools with queries on the implementation of the scheme. There is also a dedicated email address - , to which schools and parents can submit queries or questions in relation to the implementation of the scheme on the ground, including where schoolbooks have not been received.

My department is not currently aware of any delays in relation to implementation of the scheme.