Please see information below on the Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme 2025/2026
4th March 2025
Schoolbooks for students in Post-Primary Schools 2025/26
Dear Parent/Guardian,
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Government has approved the extension of the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme to all students in post-primary schools. The Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme now includes all students in Senior Cycle years, including Transition Year, in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme from September 2025.
Funding is being made available from the Department of Education to every school to enable this to happen.
- Schoolbooks and core classroom resources will be provided to all children and young people enrolled in Junior and Senior Cycle years, including Transition Year students, in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.
- This means that the cost of schoolbooks and core classroom resources will be eliminated for their families and will ease the financial burden facing families at back-to school time.
Through this measure, we are enhancing equity of access, where all children and young people enrolled in Junior and Senior Cycle years in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme can commence the new school year in 2025/26 with the same schoolbooks as other children and young people in their class.
It is important to note that schools have been advised to provide all schoolbooks and core classroom resources from the funding available. Parents/guardians may now only be asked, by schools, to provide some additional classroom resources or to pay a fee towards the cost of these items. Schools will communicate with you in relation to the scheme.
My department has published an information leaflet for parents/guardians on how the new scheme will operate. The scheme guidance and parents’ leaflet are published at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes
By implementing measures like the Schoolbooks Scheme my department will continue our work to tackle all forms of disadvantage in education and promote inclusivity.Should you have any query in relation to this new scheme please email: [email protected]
Helen McEntee TD
Minister for Education
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Introduction
Buying schoolbooks and classroom resources can be a costly expense for parents/guardians. In 2024 schools were provided with funding to buy schoolbooks and core classroom resources for students in Junior Cycle. From 2025 the Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme will provide funding to schools to buy items for all students up to Senior Cycle.
This leaflet will explain how the scheme is run and provides answers to some frequently asked questions.
The Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme
The Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme is a scheme where the Department of Education provides funding to post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme to purchase schoolbooks and core classroom resources.
The scheme is run as a textbook rental scheme where schoolbooks and resources are provided on loan to students at the start of the school year.
This means that parents of post-primary students will not pay towards the cost of schoolbooks, including the cost of core classroom resources.
How the scheme operates
The school will make arrangements to provide your child(ren) with the textbooks and resources covered by the scheme. It is important that your child looks after the books carefully because they belong to the school.
At the end of the school year (or at the end of the programme they are studying), your child returns the textbooks to the school in good condition. They must also be returned if your child leaves the school. If you paid a deposit, this is given back to you.
What the scheme covers
Schoolbooks are textbooks (including ebooks) and workbooks used by students in schools. It also includes novels, plays and provision of past examination papers.
Core classroom resources are covered under the scheme. The list items are outlined in Appendix 1 of the guidance for schools. Schools can substitute items on this list but must provide parents with information on what will and will not be given to students.
Full details are available at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes
How parents/guardians can support the scheme Parents/guardians should remind students that the schoolbooks are on loan from the school.
Students need to take good care of their schoolbooks and classroom resources and keep them in good condition during the year so that they can be re-used in future years.
Key Information
How to take part in the scheme
Parents/Guardians do not have to make an application for this funding. Funding is paid directly to schools.
Items covered by the scheme
All schoolbooks – this includes all textbooks, including ebooks, and workbooks decided by schools as necessary for each subject. It also includes past examination papers for all subjects as necessary.
Core classroom resources will also be provided by your school. A list of these are in Appendix A of the guidance at gov.ie – Schoolbooks Scheme Information Hub
Other classroom resources covered
If schools have funding remaining after all schoolbooks and core classroom resources are provided, the school may provide additional classroom resources that parents were previously either asked to provide or charged for.
Schools can charge a refundable deposit
Schools can charge a refundable deposit which is limited to €50. The school must provide a list of items that are covered by the deposit and will need to be returned.
Replacement of lost or damaged books
The issue of replacement of lost or damaged books is a matter for each school to decide.
Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate mock examinations are not covered by the scheme
The grant does not provide funding towards the cost of mock examinations.
Certain Transition Year costs are covered by the scheme Schools are required under the scheme to provide any books and core classroom resources required by students in Transition Year (TY).
Other costs associated with Transition Year are not covered, for example, the cost of a TY trip.
Key Information
Use of second-hand books in the scheme
Schools are permitted to purchase second-hand books under the scheme. If you wish to provide second-hand schoolbooks to your school, you can contact them directly.
Items for which schools can charge
Schools cannot charge you for schoolbooks or core classroom resources that are covered under the scheme. Schools will provide you with a list of these items at the start of the year.
The school can request a charge for additional classroom resources not covered under the scheme.
How to raise a query with the school
The board of management/ETB is responsible for the running of the scheme in the school. If you have any concerns or queries you should contact your child’s school directly.
If you are not satisfied with the response provided by the school, the school may have a formal complaints process in which case this should be followed in pursuing any complaint.
Further information is available on gov.ie: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/parental complaints/