Norma Foley wants to expand free books to Leaving Cert students

As well as expanding free school books to junior cycle students, Education Minister Norma Foley said that it remains her 'absolute ambition' to provide free books to students in fourth, fifth, and sixth year. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Education Minister Norma Foley has said it is her ambition to expand free school books to Leaving Cert students but confirmed the expansion announced on Tuesday concerns non-fee-paying schools only.

Defending her decision to expand free books to junior cycle students, Ms Foley said that books at junior cycle are more expensive than those at senior cycle. She added that it remains her “absolute ambition” to expand free books to those in fourth, fifth, and sixth year.

Ms Foley also defended a decrease in capitation funding, saying circumstances have improved since once-off measures were provided last year.

She confirmed that €81m in capitation funding is being provided to schools, representing a 10% decrease on the €90m provided in Budget 2023.

The capitation fee provided by the department is to cover the cost of utility bills. Schools have long argued that the rate is insufficient.

John Boyle, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, welcomed some additional funding but said schools will still be expected to fundraise to meet basic expenses, and parents will still be relied upon to keep schools afloat.

Ms Foley said the additional €81m is a “significant uplift”, adding that circumstances have improved since last year.

It was thought that further significant capitation funding would be announced. However, she clarified that €21m in capitation funding will be renewed annually, while the other €60m is a cost-of-living measure to assist schools with increased day-to-day costs.

She said the €21m will support a permanent restoration of funding to all schools, bringing it back to pre-2011 levels.

The funding announced will bring the basic rate of capitation to €200 per primary school student and €345 per post-primary student.

Special needs

In terms of school transport, Ms Foley confirmed that the “significant injection” of €92m in funding will provide additional places for children with special educational needs, as well as a continued reduction in school transport fees which will remain at a maximum of €125 for a family ticket.

She said the €940m for school building projects will progress the 300 projects currently at various stages of construction and fund a further 200 projects over the next two years.

She said school buildings are being completed as “speedily as possible”.

Separately, special education minister Josepha Madigan said Budget 2024 “makes the biggest-ever commitment” to students with special educational needs and their families.

She described the €2.7bn in investment as “unprecedented”, representing a 5% increase in the special education budget since last year.

Among measures announced include a further 744 teachers and 1,216 special needs assistants to be recruited in 2024.