Over 200,000 students are set to benefit.
The Government is to extend the free school books scheme to Junior Cycle students.
The measure before Cabinet this morning would mean that from September parents of kids in first to third year won't have to buy school books.
€68m is being provided which will benefit 212,000 pupils.
However, owner of Midlands Books in Tullamore and the Learning Lab in Mullingar, John Ryan says local bookshops are being overlooked:
Ticket Prices Set To Rise For National Ploughing Championships
A quarter of a million people attended this year's Ploughing Championship.
Taoiseach Warns Of Threats To Energy And Communication Cables
Micheál Martin is calling for stronger protections for key undersea infrastructure.
Irish Farmers To Join EU-Wide Protest In Brussels
The IFA President will set off from the Irish Farm Centre this morning.
Four Men Released Without Charge After Midlands Prison Assault Arrests
They have returned to Midlands Prison.
Community Mourns Mary Holt As Colleagues Lead Funeral Procession In Edenderry
Her colleagues formed a guard of honour.
Calls Grow For 24 Hour Garda Station In Edenderry After Arson Attack
An online petition has been set up.
Appeal Date Set For Jozef Puska Over Murder Of Ashling Murphy
His appeal is scheduled to begin on 23rd April.
Offaly Town Demands Meeting With Garda Commissioner And Justice Minister
A petition to make Edenderry Garda Station open 24 hours a day is nearing its goal.
Ireland’s First Kidney Pancreas Transplant Recipient Dies Aged 68
Westmeath's Mairead Ward received the procedure in 1991.
Quality Of Life To Drive Offaly’s Appeal For Foreign Investment - Anna Marie Delaney
IDA Ireland plans to develop a new business park in Tullamore.
Hundreds Of Mourners Gather For Tadgh Farrell's Funeral
The funeral was held in St Mary's Church this afternoon.
Dancing With The Stars ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ - Rose Of Tralee
The hit series makes its comeback on our screens in January.
Uisce Éireann To Submit €6b Water Project Plan
The project is designed to safeguard the drinking water supply for nearly half of Ireland’s population.
Pedestrian Killed In Midlands Crash
Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of the incident.
Gardai Arrest Four Men Over Laois Prison Assault
It's alleged to have taken place in Midlands Prison last Saturday.
Maura Higgins Set For Traitors US
The Midlands celeb wants to be a traitor.
Man Taken To Hospital Following Alleged Westmeath Assault
The incident occurred in Kinnegad.
Osteoarthritis Programme Launched At Midlands Hospital
It was developed in Denmark and is now implemented in over 10 countries.
Laois County Fire And Rescue Service Welcomes Two New Fire Appliances
The two appliances will soon be operational in Portlaoise and Mountmellick.
Offaly TD Welcomes New IDA Ireland Investment
Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack says it's needed to keep commuters closer to home.
