An estimated 800,000 people are set to benefit from the scheme.

Scotland’s former first minister was interviewing author Paul Lynch.

The largest monthly volume increases were in bars (+13.8 per cent), books, newspapers and stationery (+7.0 per cent), pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles (+3.0 per cent), and department stores (+2.9 per cent).

The 280sqm store will be located in the lower ground floor of the department store, adjacent to FAO Schwarz and will carry a broad range of books with specific emphasis on Irish-published and children’s titles.

The Grass Ceiling, A Thread of Violence and The Bee Sting are among the books in contention for the overall prize

Three of Sally Rooney’s books – Normal People, Beautiful World Where Are You, and Conversations With Friends – featured among the most popular reads of the decade