Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
294. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education when the allocation of free school books will start to roll out to schools for the Junior Certificate cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2770/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education when schools will be notified of the delivery of free school books for the Junior Certificate cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2772/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 296 together.
As Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families.
As part of Budget 2023, I announced a major investment of over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks in recognised primary schools and special schools. This was 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.
The introduction of this measure directly addressed our commitment under the Programme for Government to commence a free schoolbooks scheme pilot in September 2020 and expand the scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow.
To further the delivery of our important government commitment, I announced that funding is allocated under Budget 2024 to extend the free schoolbooks scheme to all students in Junior Cycle years in public post-primary schools. The total funding available for this extension of the scheme is €67 million.
The grant for this scheme will be paid based on the previous year’s validated enrolment figures which, for the 2024/25 school year, will be the number of students enrolled in Junior Cycle for the current 2023/24 school year.
It is estimated that up to 213,000 students, in over 670 schools across all counties, will benefit from this new measure, which will commence from September 2024.
Guidance on the new Junior Cycle Free Schoolbooks Scheme is currently being developed as part of our engagement process with all stakeholders. The scheme will aim to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for Junior Cycle students.
Similar to the scheme at primary level, administrative supports will be provided to schools in order to roll out the scheme. Details of the funding, including the per capita rate and the Administrative Support Grant, will be set out in the guidance to schools.
It is recognised that guidance and funding will need to be provided to schools as early as possible in 2024 to support the purchase of the books and resources in time for the start of the 2024/25 school year.
