Local schools are set to benefit from the reinstatement of the book grant scheme this autumn, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon.

The school book grant scheme was affected by the cutbacks in recent years but I am glad that it was reinstated under one of the recent budgets and local schools will benefit from it again this coming academic year. This year along €7.65 million of additional grant support has been made available in addition to the €7 million that was allocated to DEIS schools last year.

This funding will be used by schools to help fund the purchase of school books. The allocation to DEIS schools for books is €39 per pupil and for non DEIS schools it is €24 per pupil. In addition, €63 will be allocated per Junior Certificate student; €100 per transition year student; and €150 per Leaving Certificate student.

Deputy Conlon said she was glad that the book grant scheme has been reinstated. “Schools are being urged to implement book rental schemes where possible because this is the best way of ensuring that costs can be lowered for parents,” she stated.