€68 million funding has been introduced as part of a new scheme which will aims to provide free schoolbooks and core classroom resources for all students in Junior Cycle years.
This applies to post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme for the 2024/25 school year.
This scheme aims to ensure that parents and guardians of students enrolled in Junior Cycle years will not be asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks.
Special schools in which children and young people with special educational needs are enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes will also receive the Junior Cycle rate in respect of these students in 2024/25.
The announcement was made by Fianna Fáil Minister for Education Norma Foley who said she expects more than 212,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools nationwide to benefit from this scheme.
Laois TD, Sean Fleming, Minister for State has welcomed the details of what he called a “ground-breaking scheme.”
“Fianna Fáil understand that the transition from primary to post-primary can put an increased financial burden on families,” Deputy Fleming said.
“This ground-breaking, permanent measure is further evidence of Fianna Fail’s commitment to supporting access to education for all by enhancing the educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home and easing the financial burdens facing families during back-to-school time.”
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