Education

Free books pilot scheme to be extended to many impoverished schools

The €1m scheme was introduced in 2020 during the pandemic, and was positively received by schools

Norma Foley, Minister for Education: a spokesman for the minister confirmed that the pilot scheme for free books for schoolchildren in disadvantaged areas would be continued for the forthcoming school year. Picture: Rollingnews

Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, has extended a €1 million pilot scheme to provide free books to some of the poorest schools in the country.

Foley recently announced a €100 increase in the back-to-school allowance, a waiving of school transport fees and an expansion of free school meals. But there had been uncertainty about the future of a pilot scheme to give free books to students in 102 primary schools in disadvantaged areas.

This ...