1. What is the aim of the Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme?
The scheme aims to remove the cost of schoolbooks and core classroom resources for parents/guardians of students in all years of post-primary education, including Junior Cycle, Transition Year, and Senior Cycle.
2. What does the scheme funding cover?
Funding must first be used to provide:
- Schoolbooks (including ebooks)
- Workbooks
- Copybooks, hardback notebooks, and school journals
- Calculators, dictionaries, and lab books
- Additional core classroom resources required for practical and project-based subjects
Any surplus funds may then be used for:
- Additional classroom resources
- Costs associated with teacher-generated content
- Digital resources
📘 Full list: Appendix 1 – Core Resources
📄 Source: Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme Guidance 2025/26, Sections 4.2–4.3.
3. What is the value of the Schoolbooks Scheme per student?
The Department of Education allocates funding per student based on the student’s current programme:
| Programme | 2025/26 Per Capita Grant |
| Junior Cycle | €309 per student |
| Transition Year (TY) | €142 per student |
| Senior Cycle (including LCA) | €295 per student |
4. How much can be used toward ICDL certification?
If surplus funding remains following the purchase of core classroom resources, schools may allocate a portion of the per-student grant toward additional resources, including digital resources such as ICDL.
Based on prior case studies and budget planning, schools might expect to have up to €50 per student in surplus. Schools may choose to cover partial or full certification fees, particularly where ICDL is part of an approved digital literacy programme.
5. Can we use the grant to buy devices such as laptops or tablets for ICDL?
Generally, no. The scheme does not fund digital devices, unless your school:
- Replaces traditional books entirely with teacher-generated digital content, and
- Has already provided all books and resources required under the scheme.
In these rare cases, schools may:
- Purchase or lend digital devices under a controlled loan scheme, and
- Devices must be collected at the end of the school year.
📄 Source: Post-primary Schoolbooks Scheme Quick Reference Guide – Section 17
6. How do we classify ICDL under the scheme?
ICDL can be considered as:
- An additional classroom resource (if integrated in a subject curriculum like Digital Media Literacy or Computer Studies).
- A digital media support tool aligned with learning outcomes.
- A fee-based learning tool, for which cost coverage by the school would reduce the burden on families.
Important: Schools must ensure ICDL is included in their curriculum plans and is not already funded through another stream such as ICT Grants or DEIS.
Conclusion
The Schoolbooks Scheme provides valuable flexibility, especially when integrating digital resources like ICDL. While digital devices themselves are generally not funded, digital resources, apps, and subscriptions are eligible if they reduce costs for parents and support curriculum delivery.
If you’d like to explore how ICDL can be embedded in your curriculum using the Post-Primary Schoolbooks Scheme, we’re here to guide you.
Reach out to our team through the form below to start your ICDL journey and make full use of your schoolbooks grant funding for what matters most—your students’ future.
For full guidance documents and updates, visit the Schoolbooks Scheme Information Hub:
🔗 https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/schoolbooks-scheme-information-hub/
