Local Fianna Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher has welcomed details of a new scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. The announcement was made this week by Minister for Education Norma Foley. More than 212,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools nationwide are expected to benefit from this scheme. Speaking to Northern Sound following the announcement, Senator Gallagher aid said that the funding package of over €68 million will provide, at a minimum, free schoolbooks, and core classroom resources for all students in Junior Cycle years in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme for the 2024/25 school year.
According to the Monaghan representative, this scheme will ensure that parents and guardians of students enrolled in Junior Cycle years across Monaghan will not be asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks. He added that special schools in which children and young people with special educational needs are enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes will also receive the Junior Cycle rate in respect of these students in 2024/25.
Senator Gallagher continued; "Fianna Fáil understands that the transition from primary to post-primary can put an increased financial burden on families. This ground-breaking, permanent measure is further evidence of our commitment to supporting access to education for all by enhancing the educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home and easing the financial burdens facing families during back-to-school time.''
