Junior Cycle Free Book Scheme

Following the release of the procurement guidelines for the Junior Cycle Free Book Scheme, we wanted to reach out and extend our full support to you and your school community as you engage with this new funding model. Here are five key takeaways to simplify the detail, and how Educate.ie can help.

1. Funding Allocation: Funding can be used for schoolbooks and educational resources, but not student devices. We are delighted to confirm that Educate.ie has the widest range and choice of schoolbooks for Junior Cycle of any publisher with textbooks published in 19 subjects.
2. Definition of "Schoolbooks": “Schoolbooks” means textbooks, ebooks, workbooks, novels, plays and examination papers. Educate.ie can supply you with printed textbooks, ebooks or workbooks as required. We have the largest range of published Junior Cycle plays; and can supply you with examination papers. Simplify your procurement process by purchasing from us.
3. Schools' Discretion: “Schools have the discretion to choose the books and resources that best meet the needs of their students.” Educate.ie has a huge number of market-leading, up-to-date titles for Junior Cycle, many of which are likely already in use in your school. We offer an unrivalled range of option subjects, languages, and core textbooks; so we are confident we can meet the needs of your students, not to mention the printed and digital resources we offer for your staff.
4. Grant Funding: “For the 2024/25 school year the grant funding is set at a rate of €309 per student in year 1, 2 and 3 of the Junior Cycle. This provides for the cost of all schoolbooks and the cost of classroom resources.” We are happy to confirm that we will fit our pricing within your funding… and yes, we know there needs to be plenty left over for copybooks and calculators!
5. Payment Timeline: “It is envisaged that the book grant for the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme will be paid to schools no later than 31 March 2024 so that schools will have the necessary funding in place to implement the scheme in advance of the commencement of the 2024/25 school year.” All of our textbooks are printed and ready to go for the coming school year. Start the conversation with us now if you would like to see samples, place an order, or utilise our expertise.