Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports and Leader of the Independent Group of Ministers, Seán Canney TD, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education Helen McEntee TD confirming that, from September 2025, nearly one million students in primary, special, and post-primary schools under the Free Education Scheme will benefit from the Free School Books Scheme.

For the first time ever, the scheme will reach this scale, providing schoolbooks, workbooks, and copybooks free of charge to pupils across the education system. This expansion represents a €170 million investment by the Department of Education in 2025.

Minister Canney said: “This is a major milestone for education and a direct response to the cost-of-living pressures facing families. By delivering free schoolbooks to nearly one million students, the Government is supporting parents, empowering students, and promoting equality in classrooms across Ireland.”

The Department of Education has confirmed that the following applies:

Schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks will be provided directly to all pupils by schools.
Parents and guardians will not need to buy or rent these items.
Schools will receive sufficient funding to cover the cost of providing these materials.
All schoolbooks will remain the property of the school and must be returned at the end of the school year.
Additional administration support will be provided to help schools manage the scheme effectively.

The Department has also confirmed details for the third year of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme, which continues to benefit over 563,000 pupils across more than 3,230 recognised primary and special schools:

Schools will receive €80 per pupil for the 2025/26 school year, based on enrolment figures as of 30 September 2024.
Schools are encouraged to reuse books and materials purchased in previous years where possible.
An Administration Support Grant provided to primary schools will remain in place for the 2025/2026 school year, based on the size of the school, to assist with any additional work required to implement the scheme. Schools may use the grant to employ a person to carry out administrative work on the scheme.

The Department will issue updated guidance for all schools shortly, and schools with queries are encouraged to contact the Department directly.

Minister Canney added: “This scheme provides welcome flexibility for schools supporting children with special educational needs, enabling them to tailor additional resources to individual needs. It’s an inclusive, family-focused initiative that reflects the values of fairness and access.”

He added: “In Galway, this scheme will bring meaningful relief to families. It’s one of the most practical and impactful investments we’ve seen in Irish education in years.”

Further information and school guidance are available at: www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes