Introduction
All boards of management are required to operate the Book Grant Scheme in compliance
with the Department of Education and Skills Circular 0023/2008 “School Book Grant Scheme for Needy Pupils” and Circular 0046/2013 “Allocation to schools for books” and ensure that the funds provided have been used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Book Grant Scheme as specified in the circular. The grant is to be used to support “needy families” in the purchase of schoolbooks where no book rental scheme exists or towards the cost of operating a rental scheme where one exists. The Department issued the following guidance in June 2012 “Schools may choose to allocate the existing book grant provided by the Department towards purchase of electronic books if they so wish”.
Note: The electronic books purchased from the fund must be curriculum books.
The grant allocation is based on the current year enrolment confirmed by the school in October.
For the school year 2024/2025 this book grant will be paid for senior cycle students only. See information on the ‘Free Schoolbooks Grant 2024/2025’ for junior cycle students.
Operation of the Book Grant Scheme
- Boards should ensure that the circular is made available to parents and teachers on the school website or by manual distribution.
- Boards should also clearly establish and publicise eligibility criteria.
- The board should agree the maximum amount of assistance each family can receive. The scheme should be overseen by the Principal.
- Schools should endeavour to establish a written application procedure for those wishing to avail of assistance which should be agreed by the Board and published within the school. Link for a sample application form below.
- Boards not operating a book rental scheme are advised where possible to establish a Book Rental Scheme with the aim of reducing the cost of textbooks for students. See “Guidelines for Developing Textbook Rental Schemes in Schools” for further information.
Links
- Sample letter to parents
- Sample application form
- Financial controls for the Book Grant for Needy Students
- How to account for the book grant
- Circular 0023/2008 “School Book Grant Scheme for Needy Pupils”
- Circular 0046/2013 “Allocation to schools for books”
Related Links: