Free second-level school books 'part of budget discussion', says Foley

Education Minister Norma Foley says the scheme for free primary school books was positively welcomed by parents. Picture: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

The introduction of free books for secondary school students remains under discussion as part of the negotiations for the upcoming budget, the minister for education has confirmed.

The Department of Education is examining how free school books could be introduced for secondary school students, according to Norma Foley.

Last year, the minister announced a scheme for free primary school books as part of Budget 2023 that saw school costs reduced for parents of younger children this September.

“That has been so positively welcomed and endorsed by school communities and their parents and guardians,” said Ms Foley.

I have never made a secret of the fact it is my aspiration that we would move forward at post-primary level.” 

However, it is a “very, very different” experience at post-primary level, she added.

“We have many competing demands when it comes to the budget and I have to be cognisant of the variety of demands that we have in the discussions. It’s certainly a part of the discussion, but there are many demands.” 

It comes as End Child Poverty Week 2023, hosted by the Children’s Rights Alliance, kicked off on Monday, with a focus on educational disadvantage.

The burden that school costs place on low-income families is immense, according to the CRA. The group estimates that introducing free school books at second-level would cost approximately €70m.

Mental health crisis

Meanwhile, the first day of End Child Poverty Week heard calls for Ireland to stop "playing catch-up" as it lags behind its European counterparts when it comes to accessing multi-disciplinary teams in schools.

“There is a mental health crisis out there,” said Professor Paul Downes, director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre at Dublin City University.

The pandemic effects are still being felt in the system. 

"The academic results are holding up fairly well; the mental health and wellbeing aspect, particularly in a Deis context, really needs to be addressed.” 

There is a mental health crisis across Europe, he said, adding that the European Council has highlighted the need for a system response around adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and stress, that hinders school engagement.

Multi-disciplinary teams could include social services, youth services, outreach care workers, psychologists, specialists, and nurses as well as teachers.

“A lot of this is quite routine in a wider European context. Ireland is playing catch-up here in this area.”