Families can expect a welcome relief from buying school books in September, as each child will be allocated nearly €100 each for back to school costs.
The Minister for Education Norma Foley recently announced a €50 million free school book initiative will be aimed at 558,000 students in 3,230 primary schools and 130 special schools this autumn. It is expected that the initiative will see each school given €96 per child to cover school books, workbooks and copybooks to ease the pressure parents face at the start of each school year amid the cost of living crisis.
According to the Department of Education, the new funding will also provide schools with an Administration Support Grant to assist with the roll out and implementation of the scheme and to relieve the administrative burden on schools. The new scheme is an expansion of the free school book pilot, which is currently in effect in over 100 Deis schools. Here's everything you need know about the scheme, how much each child gets, and what schools are eligible.
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What is the new Free Primary Books Scheme?
Last week, Minister for Education Norma Foley revealed the government's new Free Primary Books Scheme, which is being rolled out from September 2023. The scheme will involve free schoolbooks be given to primary school students in their efforts to combat the cost of living crisis.
Under the scheme, primary school students will be able to avail of schoolbooks, alongside workbooks and copies, free of charge from September onwards. Announcing the news in recent days, Minister Norma Foley said: “By providing our primary school children with free school books, we are enhancing their educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home."
The scheme means that:
- Schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks will be provided for all pupils from primary schools
- There is no need parents or guardians to buy or rent these items
- Schoolbooks are the property of the school and must be returned at the end of the school year.
- Schools will be provided with additional administration support.
Which schools are entitled to the Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme 2023/2024?
This scheme will only apply to primary schools and special schools in Ireland. It will benefit children from Junior Infants right up to sixth class, with 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, to benefit from the new scheme.
How much do schools get for each child?
According to the Department of Education, under the new free primary books scheme, each school will be given €96 per child to cover school books. Schools will be given a grant based on the size of the school to cover the cost of books, workbooks and copies.
There will be no need for parents to buy or rent the items. The schoolbooks will remain the property of the school, and they must be returned at the end of the year.
Schools will also be given additional administrative support to allow them to roll out the programme. More information can be found at gov.ie/primaryschoolbooks
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