A number of Fine Gael TDs have called for the free school books scheme to be extended to fee paying schools. 

Initially, the scheme served only primary school pupils; however, it was extended to second-level students in last year’s budget. 

Louth TD Paula Butterly hopes the scheme will be extended yet again to include those at private schools. 

“Simply because this is a scheme aimed at parents and the children going to school,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“At the moment now in September, we’ll have a full rollout to non fee paying schools - which will account for, give or take, 94% of all students in the country.

“At this stage we’re excluding, give or take, 6% of those and I think, a bit like child benefit, we have to be inclusive rather than exclusive.” 

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Main image: Students carrying books. Picture by: PA.