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:
Biodiversity Week Heralds Celebration Of Midlands "Flora And Fauna"
The celebration of nature runs until the end of next weekend.
Offaly Job Fair Has Proven Track Record - Tullamore Chamber Of Commerce
This year's fair was launched in the town today.
Defence Forces Design Needs To Come Before New HQ Says Tánaiste
Calls have been made to mark Custume Barracks the Army Headquarters.
Hoped Jobs In Offaly Private Hospital Will Be New
A Local Election candidate doesn't want to see people being moved from one facility to another.
Residents Of Laois IPAS Centre Felt They Weren't Being Listened To
A HIQA report found them to be non-compliant in half of the areas examined.
Calls To Establish MIDOC-Like Mental Health Service In Laois
A Local Election Candidate is pushing the campaign.
Man Charged In Connection With Midlands GAA Club Break-In
A man aged in his late teens has been charged.
Unsanctioned Modular Homes Removed From Westmeath Village
The Department of Integration have communicated the owner doesn't have permission for the move.
Woman Living With Colitis - People Who Meet Me Wouldn't Know I Was Ill"
A major conference is taking place with Crohn's and Colitis Ireland and IBD this weekend.
Residents In Westmeath Town Turn Out To Oppose Unsanctioned Modular Homes
They arrived in Coole at around 4am.
Man Hospitalised After 'Serious' Westmeath Assault
It occurred yesterday evening.
Lack Of Accessible Taxis In Laois Leaves Them Unavailable When Needed - Councillor Walsh
It was one of the topics raised at the Irish Wheelchair Association's Local Election Hustings.
New Offaly Hospital To Create Up To 300 New Jobs
€150m is to be invested into the new private facility.
Over 1,000 Premises In Westmeath Added To High Speed Broadband Area
The county will receive over €40m in investment under the National Broadband Plan.
Central Location Makes Custume Barracks Ideal For Army HQ - Troy
The Longford Westmeath TD is calling on the Tánaiste to recommend the barracks as the new headquarters for the Army.
Man Dies In Midlands Workplace Incident
It occurred yesterday evening.
Calls For An Offaly Train Station To Have Its Own Station Master Again
A Local Election Candidate also wants to see an intercom system installed.
TUS Honoured For Work On Gender Equality
The ceremony is aimed at academic research organisations around Europe.
Laois Candidate Left "Disappointed" After Posters Go Missing
Around 30-40 of the Sinn Féin candidate's posters were taken down.
Garda Divisional HQ For Laois Offaly Won't Be Complete Until 2027
Portlaoise Garda Station is currently in the tender stage of renovations.
