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Budget: Free School Books For Primary School Children And Smaller Classes

Stock image: Pexels

Reduction in class sizes, more special educational needs officers and extra funding to resolve buses row also on the cards

Free school books, and a 20% to 25% cut in childcare costs, are among the measures to be included in the Budget.

The Irish Independent reports free schoolbooks will be provided to primary school pupils next year.

Negotiations on the 14 billion euro Budget and cost of living package continued into the earlier hours of this morning.

From next September, all primary school children will get textbooks for free, while class sizes are also set to be reduced.

A doubling of the child benefit payment in November, and a 600 euro energy credit payment are among the other measures that'll aid families in tomorrow's budget.

It's expected childcare costs will also be reduced, however the details of this are not yet known.

For college students, annual fees of €3,000  will be cut by €500.

The point in which people pay 40% income tax will rise from €36,800 to around €40,000.

While social welfare payments are likely to increase by between €10 and €12 a week.

The details of Budget 2023 were being finalised until the early hours of this morning, and will be announced tomorrow.

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