Cost of books
Nothing for families
The books belong to the school and are on loan. Your child brings them home for homework and hands them back at the end of the year.
Quick facts
- Cost of books
- Nothing for families
- Who
- Primary, special and post-primary (Free Education Scheme)
- Apply
- No application: funding goes to the school
- Deposit
- None in primary; up to €50 refundable in post-primary
- Not covered
- Trips, insurance, digital devices, mock exams
Who it covers
All pupils in recognised primary and special schools. Since the 2025/26 school year, all post-primary students in the Free Education Scheme too, in Junior and Senior Cycle.
What your child gets
In primary and special schools: schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks. In post-primary: schoolbooks including eBooks, novels, plays, past exam papers and core classroom resources. If the school uses a school journal, it must be provided under the scheme.
Schools can still ask for money for direct costs like photocopying, and for optional extras like trips. Voluntary contributions cannot be made compulsory, and cannot stop the school giving your child their books.
Not covered: mock exams, aptitude tests, swimming and other activities, school and Transition Year trips, insurance and digital devices.
How the scheme works for you
You do not need to apply
Parents do not have to make an application; the funding is paid directly to the school.
Read what your school sends you
Schools have been asked to tell parents how the scheme will be run in their school.
Collect the books on loan
The school lends your child all their schoolbooks at the start of the school year.
Return them in good condition
At the end of the year, your child hands the books back to the school in good condition.
Raise problems with the school
The board of management or ETB runs the scheme, so contact the school, then use its complaints process.
Things to watch
Primary schools are not allowed to charge a deposit. Post-primary schools can charge a refundable deposit of up to €50, and must list what it covers. Each school decides what happens with lost or damaged books.
Pupils with special educational needs in primary or special schools can keep items if handing them back would cause them undue distress.
Common questions
Are school books free in Ireland?
Yes, for pupils in recognised primary and special schools and students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme, including Senior Cycle.
Do I need to apply for the free schoolbooks scheme?
No. Parents do not have to make an application. The Department pays the funding directly to schools.
Can a secondary school charge a book deposit?
Yes. A post-primary school can charge a refundable deposit of up to €50. Primary schools cannot charge a deposit.
Does the scheme cover copybooks and calculators?
Primary schools must provide copybooks. Post-primary schools provide core classroom resources from a list in the scheme guidance, so ask your school what is included.