Free school books and cheaper childcare as families to benefit from €10bn budget bonanza

The Budget 2023 plan to pay for all primary school books is one of a raft of measures aimed at bringing down the cost to parents of childcare, school, and college. Stock picture: Larry Cummins

Families with toddlers to teenagers are to be the big winners in Tuesday’s €10bn budget bonanza to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. 

A raft of new measures including free school books for all primary school children, smaller classes, reduced childcare costs, a double child benefit payment, a €500 reduction in college fees, and energy credits amounting to €600 per family are to be unleashed, following sign-off by the three party leaders in the Government.