Forty-nine percent of all parents are unaware that they no longer have to buy textbooks for their children in primary school anymore. 

In March, the Government announced the Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme at a cost of €54 million or €96 per child.

The Government also noted, “Schools will communicate with parents in relation to the scope of the scheme in their school” - but the Irish League of Credit Unions’ annual Back to School survey suggests some have yet to do so.

“What’s really surprising from the survey itself is that nearly 50% of parents were not aware of the free primary school books scheme itself,” ILCU CEO David Malone said.

“I think schools will need to do a better job in terms of communicating that to parents themselves.

“On top of that as well, more than 90% of our survey respondents said they would also seek [to have the] free books extended to secondary schools as well.”

A group of primary school children during a school assembly. Picture by: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo

The Government has previously described the scheme as a “first step” and that they hope to expand it to secondary schools at some point in the future.

The survey also found the cost of children returning to school is a financial burden for 72% of families - up from 66% in 2022.

Two in five parents told ILCU they have cancelled or reduced non-essential activities to cover rising costs and 18% of parents say they are seeking additional income to cope with the cost of living.

In addition, 13% said they were seeking a loan to cover household costs.

The survey was carried out by i-Reach Insights in the month of June and spoke to 723 parents.

Main image: Teacher helping a primary school pupil. Picture by: Alamy.com