Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd, has welcomed news that the programme for government commitment to deliver free school books to primary schools and special schools will be in place by September.

 “This announcement will certainly be welcomed by families across the country” he said. “This measure will assist households with the rising cost of living and ease the significant financial strain at back to school time.

“In 2020, the Government announced a new pilot programme which provided free schoolbooks to more than 100 primary schools which were part of the DEIS programme, in both rural and urban areas. I’m delighted to see this pilot project expanded to better support families and pupils.

“The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 558,000 pupils in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

 “This welcome scheme will ensure that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any school books, workbooks or copy books in primary schools as of autumn 2023.”