Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
368. 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, such as 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. [51349/26]
View answerMy Department has an allocation of €14.1bn gross expenditure for 2026, representing a substantial investment in our education system and in the children and young people who depend on it.
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, 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.
To support schools facing particular challenges, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme continues to provide targeted assistance. In Budget 2026, the introduction of DEIS Plus and new DEIS Plan will further support pupils at the highest risk of educational disadvantage that is designed to address disadvantage in a targeted and equitable way.
In addition, almost 1 million children and young people at all levels in primary and post-primary schools now benefit from the free schoolbooks and classroom resources scheme since 2025/26 school year.
Budget 2026 also increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per pupil for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, of €20, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these Urban Band One DEIS schools to €294.
The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of capitation for young people aged 12 and over, as their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases build on further enhancements made in the previous two Budgets. My Department has also made clear that while schools may request voluntary contributions, parents must be informed that there is no requirement to pay, and any contribution is entirely at their own discretion.
Further 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.
