Ministers Foley and Naughton launch second year of scheme providing free schoolbooks to over 555,000 primary school children

Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton have launched a second year of the scheme which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to students in primary schools and special schools.  

Over 555,000 students in 3,230 primary and special schools will benefit from the scheme in the 2024/2025 school year. The scheme will aim to provide funding directly to the school for the purchase of books, eliminating the cost of schoolbooks for parents. Schoolbooks will remain as property of the school to ensure all books can be returned at the end of the year for reuse the following year.  

Speaking about the launch of the second year of the scheme, Minister Foley said:  

“As Minister for Education, it is a core priority of mine to introduce and advance measures which help ensure equality of access to education. Following the successful implementation of the schoolbooks scheme in primary schools last year, I am delighted to see the huge amount of work that has gone on in our schools over the past year or more to make sure that every child gets the schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks they need. I want to thank all of our school leaders and all other school staff who have worked tirelessly to make this happen for another year. 

“This scheme is a hugely positive measure for families as it eases some of the financial burden facing them with back-to-school costs. Many parents and guardians of children in primary schools in the Free Education Scheme will now experience the benefits of this scheme for the second year in a row and are not being asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks for the 2024/25 school year. 

“By providing our children and young people with free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, we are enhancing their educational experience, not just in the classroom but also reaching out into the family home.” 

Minister Hildegarde Naughton added:  

“The delivery of this Programme for Government commitment continues to make a real difference in reducing the back-to-school costs for parents and guardians of children and young people with special educational needs attending special schools and special classes in primary schools. 

“Schools have the flexibility to use funding to purchase classroom resources to meet the specific learning needs of pupils once the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks are met. This is particularly important for pupils with special educational needs.”