Over 15,000 pupils and 100 primary schools across Ireland will benefit from new funding which will lower the cost of school books.
The new pilot aims to provide free books for pupils in primary education and the funding will be available for schools which are part of the DEIS programme.
The programme will see the book grant increase to €85 per pupil in the participating schools across Galway.
Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that the announcement will be welcomed by parents in these schools.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Education Joe McHugh said: “The additional €1 million funding for these schools effectively means we are now investing four times as much money on book grants for next September. The aim is to provide school books for these children and their families and we hope to build on this.
“The cost of school books is recognised as a significant element of back to school costs and in line with the overall aim of DEIS to ensure all learners have equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“I have decided to focus this funding on DEIS schools, in both urban and rural areas, which cater for high concentrations of students from disadvantaged areas.”
