asked the Minister for Education whether he is prepared to introduce proposals for legislation to provide for the supply of school books free of charge to children attending national schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Books.
I am not in a position to make a definite statement on this matter at the moment.
I shall have the issue raised by the Deputy investigated without delay. I may say that from the information at my disposal the cost would be very considerable and, apart from other considerations, I cannot hold out any hope, in the existing financial stringency, that a general scheme for the supply of free books to the children of national schools can be established at present.
Am I to take it that the Minister's answer to-day rules out the possibility of a free supply of books even to necessitous school children?
No. The Estimates for the current year do not make provision, as far as I know, for a scheme of this character. I think he will recognise that a great deal of consideration would have to be given to the matter before I would be in a position to make a definite statement. I may say, however, that the possibility of such a scheme is not ruled out.