Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, has confirmed that pupils in 13 DEIS schools in Mayo are set to benefit from free books thanks to additional government funding of €1 million to reduce the cost of books in DEIS schools.
Minister Ring said: "My colleague, Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, has today (Thursday, January 9 ) announced a new €1 million fund which aims to provide free books in primary schools.
“More than 15,000 pupils across 102 primary schools nationally are to benefit from the increased investment which is extremely welcome for parents. I’m delighted that 13 of these schools are in Mayo. This is great news for parents whose children attend these schools.”
The following DEIS schools in Mayo will be included on this programme: (1 ) Valley National School, Dugort; (2 ) Scoil Íosa, Ballina; (3 ) Scoil Náisiúnta An Tstraith, Bunnahowen, Ballina; (4 ) Geesala Central School; (5 ) Barnatra National School, Barnatra, Ballina; (6 )Scoil Náisiúnta Druim Slaod, Ballycroy; (7 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Inbhear, Barnatra, Ballina; (8 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Dumha Thuama, Ballina; (9 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smal, Ceathrú Thaidhg, Ballina; (10 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Pol A Tsomais, Bun na hAbhann, Ballina; (11 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Ros Dumhach, Ballina; (12 ) Dookinella National School, Keel, Achill and (13 ) Scoil Náisiúnta Eachléime, Fód Dubh, Ballina
Minister Ring continued: "The investment is being made on top of the book grant provided to all schools in the country and follows a commitment to in Budget 2020 to introduce an extra support to reduce costs for families and school communities.
“Around 15,500 children nationally will benefit from the additional funding. The new pilot which aims to provide free school books will be available to more than 100 primary schools which are part of the DEIS programme, in both rural and urban areas.
“The pilot programme will see the book grant increase to €85 per pupil in the participating schools, all of which are in the DEIS programme. Fine Gael is committed to education and helping families with their living costs wherever possible."
