‘Footfall just died’: Free book scheme threatens dark days for schoolbook shops

Schoolbook sellers are finding themselves majorly down on profits and worried about the future with the planned expansion of the free schoolbooks scheme to junior cycle

Carmel O'Regan at Cobh School Books in Cobh: “Normally, April and May would be a little bit less stressful for me whereas this year I was snowed under with paperwork because of the tendering process.” Picture: Dan Linehan

Free schoolbooks for primary school children and, indeed, the planned expansion to junior cycle students in 2024 is a clear win for parents across the country but it seems to have marked a stark path for schoolbook sellers.

However, those on the ground who have dedicated their professional lives to schoolbooks are finding themselves majorly down on profits and worried about the future.