Foley to demand more funding for school building and expansion of free books scheme 

It is estimated that the final cost of the expansion could set the Exchequer back up to €43m a year

One Government source said that there is 'enormous demand' for new school buildings, citing the need for either entirely new buildings or specialised classrooms for children with special needs.

Further funding for school building and the expansion of the free books scheme to Leaving Cert students are on the cards for the upcoming pre-election Budget.

Education Minister Norma Foley is to press Government officials for the final expansion of the schoolbooks scheme. It was rolled out to junior cycle students as part of the previous budget.