asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the very serious burden the purchase of children's school books imposes on the average family; and, if so, whether he will take steps for the provision of free school books for all children now attending school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free School Books.
Under the scheme at present in operation an annual grant is paid to the manager of each national school for the provision of free books for necessitous children. It is not proposed to extend that scheme, to provide free books for all children in attendance at national schools.
Can the Minister say if the problem has been considered by the Government, because it has been advocated by Parties on this side of the House that such facilities should be provided? Will the Minister say whether the decision he has now announced is a Departmental or a Government decision?
The Deputy will perhaps remember that on the 5th July, in reply to a question by Deputy A.P. Byrne regarding the cost of text books and school requisites, I told him that I had no definite information on which a reliable estimate of the expenditure per head could be based but that I was having inquiries made in the matter. When these inquiries have been completed, I may be able to answer some further questions on the matter.
It is a Departmental decision?
Any decision about this matter is a decision of my own. In so far as there is a question of fact at the present moment I have had to decide that I am not proposing to extend the scheme at present. But, in relation to the question raised by Deputy Byrne in the early part of the month, certain aspects of the matter referred to by the Deputy are being examined into by me and when these further facts are brought to light, if a suggestion has to be made or a decision taken about it, any decision which will be taken in the matter will be a Ministerial or Government decision.