Free books to be provided in primary schools and special schools in Kilkenny

Free books will be provided in all primary schools and special schools in Kilkenny, according to Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan.

The news comes on top of an announcement earlier this year that exam fees for the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams are to be scrapped for next year’s exam students.

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Deputy Phelan said the latest initiative will provide not only free schoolbooks, but also workbooks and copybooks easing the financial burdens facing families during back-to-school- time.

Deputy Phelan said: “This scheme will ensure that parents and guardians will not be asked to buy or rent any school books, workbooks or copy books as of Autumn 2023.

“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.

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“This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to- school costs.

“Around 558,000 children and young people, their families and their schools around the country will benefit from the initiative.”