Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, has called on the Irish government to provide permanent funding for school libraries nationwide.

The request aims to address a systemic lack of quality and quantity of books in primary and secondary schools. Without dedicated state support, many educational institutions rely on haphazard donations to stock their shelves, creating an uneven landscape of literacy resources for students across the country.

Ryan said that the current state of school libraries is inadequate, noting that some schools are "absolutely nowhere near the level" they should be [2]. She highlighted a contradiction between the nation's economic status and its educational resources. "That the majority of schools in Ireland have to rely on donations of books in one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, one with a world‑renowned literary heritage, is nothing short of scandalous," Ryan said [2].

To resolve the crisis, Children’s Books Ireland proposed a specific investment model. The organization is seeking €70 per head for every primary and secondary student [1]. This funding would be used to ensure that students have access to a modern, diverse, and sufficient collection of literature.

According to the proposal, the estimated annual cost for this investment would be approximately €68 million [1]. The organization argues that this expenditure is necessary to secure the life-changing benefits that libraries provide to pupils.

Currently, the lack of a centralized funding mechanism means that the quality of a child's reading material often depends on the wealth of their local community, or the generosity of private donors. Ryan said this system has effectively collapsed, leaving many students without the tools necessary for academic success.

“"That the majority of schools in Ireland have to rely on donations of books... is nothing short of scandalous."”

This push for permanent funding represents a shift from viewing school libraries as optional amenities to treating them as essential infrastructure. By quantifying the cost at €68 million annually, Children’s Books Ireland is attempting to move the conversation from general advocacy to a specific budgetary demand that the Irish government can either accept or reject in its fiscal planning.