Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
91. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of children and families who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in primary schools in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, respectively, for 2023 to 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31508/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am asking this question on behalf of Deputy Cowen. I ask the Minister to give us an estimate of the number of children and families who would benefit from the free books scheme in primary schools in Counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, respectively, for 2023 to 2024. Since I am taking the question, if the Minister has figures for Cork too, I would appreciate it.
I think they will be getting worried to hear Deputy O'Sullivan is crossing into a different constituency.
As Minister, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. The Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many families. Earlier this year I announced the establishment of Ireland's first national primary schoolbook scheme. More than 558,000 pupils, enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including more than 130 special schools, will benefit from this new measure. This includes some 37,345 pupils enrolled in 248 primary and special schools in counties Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. In March, the Department issued extensive guidance to schools on the operation of the scheme. This is a landmark moment in Irish education and one that furthers our goal to provide free education for all and ensure that every child can benefit from free education.
At a minimum, the scheme will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all children and young people in recognised primary schools and special schools and will eliminate the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for parents of children and young people enrolled in the schools. Parents should not be asked to purchase, or to make a contribution to the school towards the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks or copybooks.
The €53 million investment into schools is specifically for the cost of textbooks, workbooks and copybooks. Additional funding has been made available to schools to administer the programme. Depending on the size of the school, a certain number of days have been allocated to the school to ensure that the burden is not placed, for example, on the principal. Schools are free to employ anyone, whether a member of staff, somebody from outside the school or somebody on the board of management. It makes no difference. Those days are made available for them.
The free schoolbooks measure builds on previous schemes like the book rental scheme, which was significant. More than 96% of primary schools engaged in that. Therefore, there is considerable experience in schools already. I acknowledge the work that is done every single day by schools on school book rental and now in this new sphere too.
I thank the Minister. Unlike the previous question, the Minister will not find any criticism from this quarter. As I said, I spent 15 years teaching. It is one thing that puts parents, families and schools under pressure, particularly during the summertime. It is a welcome initiative. I am glad the Minister has specified that it can be used for not just textbooks but copybooks and other stationery that may be required too. I know the Minister referred to the fact that parents should not be asked for contributions towards this but already a debate is raging about whether, if there is a shortfall, schools will come back looking for that gap to be filled. Will the Minister reiterate what she mentioned about how parents should not be asked to make any contribution? Will she clarify whether additional classes, such as one-on-one resource classes, ASD classes, and so on, which require additional textbooks, copybooks or workbooks can avail of that additional facility under the scheme?
I thank the Deputy. I want to confirm that the provision is for all of our primary schools and special schools. There is no question. They are all included in it. Where there might be a need for additional resources or if the school finds it has additional students, or whatever the case might be, then as we have said in the guidelines that went out to the schools, direct contact has been made by the Department and provision has been made for that. I want to be clear that not a single penny is to be provided by parents or guardians for the schoolbooks. Specifically, this covers textbooks, workbooks and copybooks. That is meant to lift the burden from parents and guardians of costs of going back to school. It is an acknowledgement by Government of the need to support parents as they send their children to school. No moneys are to be paid for the books by parents or guardians.
Any queries from individual schools should be directed to the Department.
As I said, this is probably one of the most welcome achievements of the Minister in the few years she has been in office and she is to be commended on the initiative. Most schools and parents are very grateful for the Government providing for that educational need for schoolbooks.
Inevitably, once the scheme has been delivered for primary schools, we will face a call in respect of second level. I will not try to prejudge any budgetary consideration but it is inevitable we will face those calls. What are the Minister's plans for the future in regard to second level? It is estimated to cost in the region of €70 million or €80 million to make such a provision. Second, what is the Minister's opinion on extending the scheme into the future?
I agree; this is a landmark moment in education. It is the right thing to do. A huge financial investment is involved, but we had to take the first step and the Department deemed it appropriate that that would relate to primary education. I am conscious of the benefit the scheme provides for parents and guardians because I meet them frequently and visit schools throughout the country. It has been universally welcomed as a positive step forward.
I acknowledge that when there has been a first step, one would hope there will be a second step. I have never made any apology in that regard, but I am conscious everything has to fit within a budgetary consideration. There are many competing demands across government and equally within my Department and, therefore, while it will be a matter for consideration, I cannot say when that will be or when we can achieve it. It is certainly an ambition, but I cannot give any commitment or guarantee as to when we will achieve it.
