Free schoolbooks scheme supporting 26,500 students across Mayo

Over 26,500 school children across primary and secondary schools in Mayo are benefitting from the free schoolbooks scheme, Minister of State Alan Dillon has said.

Minister Dillon highlighted the significant and growing impact this is having for families across Mayo by easing back to school costs and ensuring every child has the resources they need to learn and succeed.

This year, a total of 26,584 students across Mayo are benefitting from the scheme, a figure which includes 11,739 students in 30 post-primary schools, supported by €3,280,121 in government funding, and 14,845 pupils in 155 primary schools, supported by €1,187,600 in funding.

Minister Dillon said this investment reflects the government’s commitment to reducing financial pressures on families and strengthening equality in education.

“The free schoolbooks scheme is making a real difference for families in Mayo. By removing the cost of books and essential classroom resources, we are ensuring that every child and young person can participate fully in school, regardless of their background or circumstances. This is about fairness, opportunity and supporting children to reach their full potential.”

The scheme provides funding directly to schools, allowing them to supply schoolbooks, workbooks, copies and a range of essential classroom materials. This removes the need for parents and guardians to purchase or rent these items at the start of the school year.

Minister Dillon said this approach is helping to create greater consistency in classrooms and reducing stress for families.

He stated: “By funding schools directly, we are giving principals and teachers the flexibility to choose the resources that best support their students. It also means parents no longer face the annual burden of sourcing and paying for books. This is a practical, effective measure that is improving the school experience for thousands of children across Mayo.”

Minister Dillon added that the scheme is an important part of the wider work to support families, strengthen educational outcomes and ensure that Mayo receives its fair share of national investment.