Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
76. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education when the monetary contribution from her Department will be paid to schools for junior cycle post-primary pupils for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23025/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March I announced details of the new Junior Cycle free Schoolbooks Scheme, which provides, at a minimum, free schoolbooks and core classroom resources to Junior Cycle students enrolled in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, will benefit from this new measure from the start of the coming school year.
This scheme ensures that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks or core classroom resources for students in Junior Cycle programmes. Post-primary schools and special schools have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements.
Detailed guidance on the implementation of the scheme for the 2024/25 school year was published on 5th March to allow schools sufficient time to implement the scheme in advance of the start of the school year. Funding issued directly to schools on 19th March and was paid based on the number of students enrolled in the school on 30th September 2023. Details of the scheme, including the per capita rate of €309 per student, are provided in the scheme guidance available at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes.
In recognition of the continued work required by schools to implement the scheme, my Department will also provide an Administrative Support Grant to schools which allows them to employ a person/s to assist with the administration of the scheme. Full details of the Administrative Support Grant is also set out in the scheme guidance for the 2024/25 school year. It is anticipated that this funding will issue to schools shortly.
