445 Schools in Cork Benefitting from Free Schoolbooks Scheme – O’Shea
May 06, 2026
Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has welcomed the continued rollout and impact of the Government’s Free Schoolbooks Scheme, confirming that 445 schools across Cork are now participating, with over 100,000 children and young people benefitting.
Deputy O’Shea said the scheme is delivering real and meaningful support to families at a time when the cost of living remains a key concern.
“This is extremely positive news for families right across Cork. Over 100,000 children and young people are now benefitting from free schoolbooks, which is making a tangible and immediate difference for parents and guardians,” Deputy O’Shea said.
“Back-to-school costs have long been a source of pressure for families. By removing the cost of schoolbooks and essential classroom resources, this scheme is easing that burden and ensuring that every child can start the school year on an equal footing.”
Providing a detailed breakdown of the scheme in Cork, Deputy O’Shea noted that:
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353 primary schools are participating, with over 60,000 children benefitting at a cost of €4.86 million
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92 post-primary schools are involved, with over 46,000 students benefitting at a cost of €12.9 million
“This significant level of investment across both primary and post-primary education highlights the scale of Government support being delivered directly into schools and classrooms across Cork,” he said.
“It ensures that students at every stage of their education – from their earliest years right through to secondary school – have access to the essential resources they need to learn, grow and succeed.”
The scheme, which provides direct funding to primary and post-primary schools, covers the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks, and a wide range of classroom resources. It eliminates the need for parents to purchase or rent these materials at the beginning of each academic year.
Deputy O’Shea said the initiative reflects Fine Gael’s ongoing commitment in Government to support families and invest in education.
“Fine Gael in Government is committed to reducing the cost of living for working families, and tackling the cost of education is a central part of that effort. This scheme is a practical example of how Government can step in to make a real difference in people’s daily lives.”
Welcoming the success of the scheme, Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, said:
“The Free Schoolbooks Scheme is making a real difference for families by easing back-to-school costs and ensuring that every child and young person in our schools has the resources they need to learn and succeed.”
“By providing funding directly to schools, the Government is removing the cost of books and resources as a barrier to participation in education and supporting greater equity and consistency in classrooms. The scheme covers schoolbooks and a range of essential classroom resources, removing the need for parents and guardians to purchase or rent these items at the start of the school year.”
Deputy O’Shea added that the scale of the scheme in Cork highlights the Government’s ambition to ensure fairness and opportunity in education.
“Every child in Cork deserves equal access to the resources they need in the classroom, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. The fact that 445 schools and over 100,000 students are benefitting shows the scale and ambition of what is being delivered.”
“I would encourage any parents or guardians who have questions about how the scheme operates in their local school to engage directly with school management or contact my office for assistance.”
The Department of Education and Youth will continue to work closely with schools to support the delivery and further development of the scheme, with the aim of continuing to reduce education-related costs for families nationwide.
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