Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
361. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated full-year cost of making primary- and post-primary education totally free, i.e., abolishing all charges (including voluntary contributions), providing free school uniforms, books and all other required equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35648/25]
View answerMy Department has an allocation of €12.2bn gross expenditure for 2025. This represents a substantial investment in our education system and in our children and young people.
There are many different aspects to a child progressing through our school system and costs associated with these. These include schoolbooks, school uniforms, school transport and extra-curricular activities such as school trips. These vary from pupil to pupil and therefore, it is not possible to put a figure on all these costs, as requested by the Deputy.
However, I can confirm that my Department provides grant funding to schools to cater for various costs, including school running costs, ancillary services and minor works. There are various circulars from my Department that give guidance on the use of such funding. They also provide discretion to the school authorities in determining the level of activities, equipment and other resources needed by pupils enrolled in their individual schools. This recognises that schools are best positioned to determine the priorities in their own particular school environment.
In recognition of the particular challenges facing some schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity (DEIS) Programme addresses educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way. The allocation for the DEIS programme is over €180 million in 2025.
In addition, almost 950,000 children and young people at all levels in primary and post-primary schools will benefit from the expanded free schoolbooks and classroom resources scheme from the 2025/26 school year onwards, which will now also include transitions year and Senior Cycle students.
My Department has also maintained the reduced charges on school transport for the coming 2025/26 school year and continued the waiver for this year’s entry fees for students that recently completed their Junior and Leaving Certification examinations.
When allocating the additional cost of living funding of €195 million since 2022 to support schools facing increased running costs, my Department made clear the expectation was that this additional funding should mean that schools would not have to seek additional contributions from parents as a consequence of the increased in the cost of living. While voluntary contributions may be requested by schools, it is important to note that it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice. In addition to the significant cost of living financial supports towards the running costs of schools, permanent increases of 22% in the basic rate of capitation, to bring them to €224 and €386 for primary and post primary pupils respectively in the coming school year, was secured through the additional investment of over €50 million in the last two successive Budgets.
Supports are also provided to parents of children attending school by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection through the payment of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance on an annual basis along with the free school meals initiative.
