The Labour party have issued a call on the Department of Education and the Government to consider proposals that would see children being given free school books.
The latest proposal which has been submited by Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin calls on the Government to introduce a scheme similar to that of Northern Ireland.
Mr Ó Ríordáin who has also called on the introduction of a voluntary contribution ban, believes that such a scheme would significantly ease a financial burden on many families who struggle to pay for their child’s education for the year.
If backed Mr Ó Ríordáin claims that the overall cost would be in the region of €40m, with €20m being allocated to cover the costs of children in both primary and secondary schools.
Mr Ó Ríordáin hopes that the proposal will be considered over the summer, and he added that every child in the date has the constitutional right to a free education.