Minister for Education Norma Foley is bringing a memo to a meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon regarding the rollout of free school books to more than half a million primary school children - for the second year in a row.
Last year, the scheme provided free school books, workbooks and copybooks to 558,000 pupils in primary and special schools - a move aimed at easing the financial pressure on families.
Minister Foley has extended the free school books scheme to Junior Cycle students for the forthcoming school year.
The schools will be given new funding this month to roll out the free school books scheme for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The Cabinet will also discuss the formulation of Ireland's strategic objectives for when it holds the six-month rotating Presidency of the European Union, which is slated for the second half of 2026.
The presidency will involve hosting between 16 and 20 informal EU Ministerial meetings in Ireland, as well as an informal meeting of the European Council of EU leaders.
It is expected that Tánaiste Micheál Martin will ask his ministerial colleagues to agree to some plans aimed at ensuring a successful term.
Taoiseach Simon Harris will also seek approval from the Cabinet for the establishment of a new taskforce aimed at rejuvenating Dublin city centre.
It will be charged with bringing forward recommendations to improve all areas where the public has access and ensure safety.
The stated aim is to make the city centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape; a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit; and a destination for retail, hospitality and cultural experiences.
It will examine the use of cultural spaces, the public transport network and issues around anti-social behaviour and litter.
Elective hospitals in Dublin
The Cabinet will also be updated on how two elective hospitals are to be built in Dublin under plans drawn up by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
The dedicated elective hospitals will be constructed at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and the current children's hospital site in Crumlin.
Elective hospitals solely treat patients who are on waiting lists for scheduled care, rather than Emergency Department patients.
It is understood that the two facilities will each have up to 25 theatres, minor operation rooms and endoscopy suites.
Similar sites are progressing in Cork, at St Stephen's Hospital on Sarsfield Court, and Galway, at Merlin Park University Hospital, with the HSE having recently tendered for an architect-led design team and project manager.
The minister had previously secured Cabinet approval for a national strategy to build elective-only hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
It is expected that these elective hospitals will add significant additional capacity by ensuring patients can get day-case, inpatient, GI Endoscopy, minor operations, outpatient treatment and outpatient diagnostics services in dedicated facilities that are not interrupted by emergency care.
