Barnardos has long called for the introduction of free schoolbooks for all children as a first step in making education truly free within Ireland.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “The announcement in last year’s budget to provide free schoolbooks to all primary school children in Ireland from this September and forever going forward was extremely welcome.
“It will make a real difference to the lives of families across the country, many of whom face considerable financial pressures each summer to meet the cost of back to school expenses. In our survey last year, parents stated that Government’s number one priority for addressing back to school costs should be schoolbooks.
“The commitment from Minister Foley today to guarantee that all primary school children will be provided free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks through the scheme is welcome. It will go a small way to helping place all primary school children on a more level playing field as they start back to school each September.
“We hope that this progressive step forward will be extended to secondary school pupils in this year’s budget.”
ENDS
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