Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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797. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when schools will be provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme. [58968/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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798. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post primary schools which currently have not been provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme; and when she expects that all schools will have received them. [58969/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 798 together.

As Minister for Education and Youth, 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.

On 5th February last, I announced details of the final phase of the free schoolbooks scheme with the extension of the scheme to Senior Cycle, including Transition Year, students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. My department has published guidance for post-primary schools around the operation of the Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme, in continued engagement with all stakeholders. Further information on the free schoolbooks scheme is available at Schoolbooks Scheme Information Hub www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/schoolbooks-scheme-information-hub/.

A total funding package of over €170 million is available in 2025 under the schoolbooks scheme. The scheme will benefit almost one million children and young people and will help to ease the financial burden facing families at back-to-school time.

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 were provided with schoolbooks and core classroom resources. Parents and guardians will not be asked to purchase schoolbooks and core classroom resources or to make a financial contribution to the school towards the cost of these items.

The term ‘schoolbooks’ includes all relevant textbooks, including ebooks, and workbooks identified by schools as necessary for completion of the curriculum for each subject. It also includes necessary additional texts such as novels and plays for English or books of past examination papers for all subjects.

Schools should determine whether it is more cost effective to print/photocopy examination papers, which are available to download from the State Examination Commission’s website, or to purchase these.