Free Books for School Children

Date: 12 April 2022

Free books for children starting school are part of a suite of measures to transform supports for early years in Ireland, outlined, Deputy Steven Matthews, Green TD for Wicklow. Speaking following the launch of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative, Deputy Matthews said:

“I warmly welcome the announcement of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative by my Green Party colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman. Children in Wicklow starting primary school in September this year and their parents/guardians are invited to visit one of the county’s 13 libraries to collect their free bag of books, available in English or Irish. Each book bag contains three books on starting school, making friends and developing self-confidence, a story card on visiting the library, a postcard the child can write or draw on and give to their new teacher, a special library card and a ‘My Little Library’ cardholder.”

“I would encourage all parents with children entering Junior Infants in September to visit their local library during the Easter break to collect their free bag of books. This is a wonderful initiative which will assist children in the transition to primary school and promote a lifelong love of learning. Early childhood is a key developmental stage, and this is an important step towards ensuring that every child in Ireland has the opportunity to benefit from reading and stories. The young readers will be invited to continue their journey with the library and refill their bag with borrowed books. The First 5 My Little Library Initiative is one of many measures that the Green Party is implementing in Government to transform supports for early years in Ireland”, concluded Deputy Matthews.