Joan Collins
Question:106. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education when she intends to introduce free schoolbooks in secondary schools. [31158/23]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2023
Questions (106)
Written answers
I believe it is crucially important that all children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms and I know that I am supported by Government in this belief.
Since June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have secured funding to support measures aimed at achieving that goal. One of the most important policies in this regard has been the establishment of Ireland’s first free primary school book scheme, which has been fully funded to provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this measure. This is a landmark moment in Irish education and one which furthers our goal to provide education for all and ensure that every child can benefit from free education.
The free primary schoolbooks scheme will eliminate the cost to families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It is supported by government funding of over €53 million, which has issued to all primary and special schools. The funding was paid at a rate of €96 per pupil in line with enrolment figures..
I am aware that the costs associated with accessing primary and post-primary education place a financial burden on many families each year.
Up to and including the 2022/23 school year, an annual book grant issued from my Department to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including the operation of Book Rental Schemes. My Department provided funding of €18.2 million in 2022 to all of these schools. Of the overall total of €18.2m, the allocation to post-primary schools was €9.34m in the 2022/23 school year. Post-primary schools will continue to receive a book grant for the 2023/24 school year.
The extension of the free school book measure to students in recognised post-primary schools will be considered in the context of the available resources going forward.