Expansion of free book scheme to over 130 special schools a further commitment to supporting most vulnerable school children – Madigan

The provision of free schoolbooks to special schools will help families with the rising cost of living and will ultimately better resource schools to provide children with the educational supports that they deserve, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan, today announced the expansion of the free book scheme to special schools across the country.

Minister Madigan said: “The expansion of the Free Book Scheme to over 130 special schools is a further commitment to supporting our most vulnerable school children and ensuring the best start for every child.

“In 2020, Fine Gael in 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 have seen 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 means that over 8,900 pupils in our special schools and their families will also benefit from this measure.

“The provision of free books to primary schools, particularly special schools, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the academic, social, and emotional development of children.

“It can help to promote a love of learning, improve literacy skills, and support the unique needs of children with special educational needs,” Minister Madigan concluded.

ENDS