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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1968

Vol. 236 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free School Books.

41.

asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the scheme for the supply of free school books; and who qualified for such books.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have copies of the schemes for the provision of free books for necessitous pupils circulated in the Official Report.

Leabhair agus Gabhálais in Aisce, 1968/69

A Chara,

Tá orm an meamram leis seo a chur chugat maidir le deontais i leith leabhair agus gabhálais in aisce a íoc le daltaí atá ina gcall san scoilbhliain 1968/69. Tá cuóta sealadach de £ á cheadú dod scoil chun críche na scéime sa scoilbhliain sin agus íocfar an tsuim sin leat go luath.

Cuirim chugat leis seo freisin Foirmeacha LS/1 agus LS/3. Iarrtar ort an fhaisnéis a lorgaítear ar an bhFoirm LS/3 a chur isteach comh luath agus is féidir é ach gan é bheith níos déanaí ná an 13 Meán Fómhair, 1968. Ba chóir an Fhoirm LS/1, agus í cómhlánaithe go cuí, a chur isteach comh luath agus is féidir é.

Is mian leis an Aire a bhuíochas a ghabháil le hArdmháistrí scoile as ucht a gcomhoibriú i bhfeidhmiú na scéime sa scoilbhliain seo caite agus iarrann sé orthu cabhrú leis arís sa ghnó seo sa scoilbhliain seo.

Free Books and Accessories, 1968/69

I am to forward the attached memorandum concerning the payment of grants towards free books and accessories for necessitous pupils in the school year 1968/69. The sum of £ is being allocated to your school as the provisional quota for the purposes of the scheme in that school year. This sum will be paid to you in the near future.

I am also to enclose Forms LS/1 and LS/3. You are requested to be so good as to forward the information sought in Form LS/3 as soon as possible but not later than the 13th September, 1968. The Form LS/1, properly completed, should be forwarded as soon as possible.

The Minister wishes to thank Headmasters for their co-operation in operating the scheme in the past year and requests their assistance again in the matter for the present school year.

Mise, le meas,

S. MAC GEARAILT.

Leas-Rúnaí.

Leabhair agus Gabhálais in Aisce, 1968/69

Féadfar deontais i leith leabhair agus gabhálais in aisce d'íoc sa scoilbhlian 1968/69 de réir téarmaí an mheamraim seo ar son daltaí meánscoile atá ina gcall.

1. Baineann an scéim le daltaí bochta atá ag fáil saor-oideachais faoi théarmaí imlitreach M.15/67. Ní áirítear sa scéim daltaí atá ag íoc táillí leis an scoil ach amhái in gur féidir le daltaí bochta lae, a sealbhaíonn scoláireachtaí, cúnamh a fháil maran leor méid bhliantúil na scoláireachta chun na táillí agus costais leabhar a ghlanadh.

Nuair aistríonn dalta ó scoil iar-bhunoideachais go dtí scoil eile tar éis tosach na scoilbhliana ní chóir cúnamh faoin scéim a thabairt dó san dara scoil mura bhfuil an tArdmháistir sásta ná fuair sé leabhair saor in aisce cheana nó gur thug sé ar ais leabhair a fuair sé sa scoilbhliain seo.

2. Chun críche na scéime seo is féidir a mheas mar dhalta bocht, dalta a bhfuil anró fíor sa bhaile de bharr dífhostaíocht, tréimhse fhada breoiteachta tuismitheora, muirín mór le teacht isteach uireasach, máthair ina baintreach 7rl.

3. D'fhéadfadh méid an deontais i leith gach dalta ar leith bheith ag brath ar an gcúrsa atá á leanacht aige ach ar meán is féidir é a áireamh de réir £8 don chéad bhliain de chúrsa na Meánteistiméireachta agus de réir £4 in aghaidh gach bliana eile den chúrsa sin; de réir £10 don chéad bhliain de chúrsa na hÁrdteistiméireachta agus de réir £5 d'aon bhliain iar sin. Bheadh costas cóip-leabhair agus gabhálais eile san áireamh ins na figiúirí sin.

Is féidir costas iomlán, nó cuid de costas leabhair agus gabhálais a íoc i leith dalta. Lomháltar leabhair a cheannach ar athlámh ach an tArdmháistir bheith sásta, trí'n a mbreithniú, gur fiú costas iad. Áirítear leabhair Teagasc Críostaí faoin scéim.

Beidh na leabhair agus na gabhálais a soláthrófar trí deontais a thabhairt do dhaltaí ar leith ag dul do na daltaí féin.

4. Más mian le hArdmháistir scéim iasachta a fheidhmiú ní miste dó déanamh amhlaidh ar an dtuiscint go bhfanfaidh na leabhair a soláthrófar amhlaidh i seilbh na scoile.

5. Tá soláthar sealadach airgid chun críche na scéime á íoc le gach scoil. Ní cheadmhach iomlán an chuóta shealadaigh sin a chaitheamh muran gá sin chun freastal don líon daltaí bochta sa scoil.

Ba chóir aon lacáiste a lomhálfaidh díoltóirí leabhair a úsáid chun críche na scé ime.

Má tharlaíonn nach bhfuil an t-iomlán den chuóta sealadach ag teastáil chun críche na scéime sa scoilbhliain 1968/69 ní mór an méid ná fuil ag teastáil a chur ar ais chun na Roinne chomh luath agus is féidir é.

6. Ba chóir meastachán d'iomlán na n-éileamhar cúnamh i ngach scoil sa scoilbhliain 1968/69 a chur chun na Roinne chomh luath agus is féidir é ach gan é bheith níos déanaí ná an 13 Meán Fómhair, 1968. Tá foirm (LS/3) leis seo chuige sin. Tá an t-eolas sin ag teastáil i dtreo is go bhféadfaidh an Roinn an cuóta críochnaitheach do gach scoil a chinntiú go luath agus, ar an ábhar sin, iarrtar ar Ardmháistrí comh-oibriú trí na meastacháin a chur isteach in am.

7. Ní bheidh an Roinn sásta caiteachas de bhreis ar na cuótaí sealadacha d'aisíoc le hArdmháistrí mura mbíonn cead na Roinne don bhreis faighte roimh ré. Déanfar iarratais ar méadaithe sna cuótaí sealadacha a scrúdú sa Roinn i láthair an eolais a soláthrófar sna meastacháin atá luaite in alt a 6 den mheamram seo. Ní mór ráiteas a chur isteach i dteannta gach iarratais ag míniú na dtoscaí is bun leis an iarratas.

Sa chás go meastar go bhfuil níos mó ná 25% de na daltaí lae i scoil i dteideal cúnamh faoin scéim a fháil moltar go láidir go dtosófaí scéim iasachta sa scoil in áit deontais a thabhairt do dhaltaí aonaracha. Ní fhéadfar dóthain airgid a chur ar fáil chun deontais aonaracha d'íoc le níos mó ná 25% de na daltaí lae i scoileanna i gcoitinne.

8. Ní gá a thuille ainmneacha na ndaltaí atá ag fáil cabhrach faoin scéim a chur ar fáil don Roinn ach caithfear an fhoirm LS/1 a ghabhann leis seo, agus í chomhlánaithe go cuí, a sholáthar i leith an chaiteachais go léir faoi théarmaí na scéime.

Free Books and Accessories, 1968/69

Grants towards free books and accessories may be paid in respect of necessitous pupils in secondary schools in the school year 1968/69 in accordance with the terms of this memorandum.

1. The scheme applies to necessitous pupils who are receiving free education under the terms of circular M.15/67. Fee-paying pupils are not included except that necessitous day pupils who hold scholarships may be given assistance to the extent that the annual amount of the scholarship falls short of the combined cost of the fees and books.

Where a pupil transfers from one post-primary school to another after commencement of the school year he should not be given assistance under the scheme in the second school unless the Headmaster is satisfied that he has not already been given free books or has returned any free books already supplied to him in this school year.

2. For the purposes of the scheme a necessitous pupil may be defined as a child from a home where genuine hardship exists because of unemployment, prolonged illness of parent, large family with inadequate means, mother a widow, etc.

3. The grant in respect of each individual pupil may vary in accordance with the course followed by him but on average it may be reckoned at £8 for the first year of the Intermediate Certificate course and £4 for each of the subsequent years of that course, at £10 for the first year of the Leaving Certificate course and £5 for any subsequent year. These figures would include the cost of copy books and other accessories.

The full cost or part of the cost of books and accessories for a pupil may be paid. The purchase of second-hand books is allowed provided such books are examined by the Headmaster with a view to ascertaining that they represent good value. Books in Christian Doctrine are included in the scheme.

Books and accessories supplied by means of a grant to individual pupils become the property of the pupils.

4. Should a Headmaster prefer to operate a loan scheme, he may do so on the understanding that books provided in this manner shall remain the property of the school.

5. A provisional allocation of money for the purposes of the scheme is being paid to each school. The expenditure of the full amount of this provisional quota is not permitted unless the number of necessitous pupils warrants it.

Discounts received from booksellers should be used for the purposes of the scheme.

If any amount of the provisional allocation is not required for the purposes of the scheme for the school year 1968/69 the amount not required must be returned to the Department as soon as possible.

6. An estimate of the full extent of the need for assistance in each school in the school year 1968/69 should be forwarded to the Department as soon as possible but not later than the 13th September, 1968. A form (LS/3) is enclosed for the purpose. This information is required in order that the final allocation for each school may be decided at an early date and, accordingly, all Headmasters are requested to be so good as to co-operate by furnishing the estimates in time.

7. The Department will not be prepared to reimburse Headmasters for expenditure in excess of the provisional allocations unless the prior approval of the Department for the excess has been given. Applications for increases in the provisional allocations will be examined by the Department in the light of the information supplied in the returns referred to in paragraph 6 of this memorandum. Each application should be accompanied by a statement of the circumstances giving rise to it.

Where the number of pupils considered in need of assistance under the scheme exceeds 25% of the number of day pupils in a school it is urged that a loan scheme, rather than a scheme of grants to individual pupils, be introduced. It will not be possible to make sufficient money available to enable direct grants to be given to more than 25% of the day pupils in schools generally.

8. It is no longer necessary to furnish to the Department the names of the pupils benefiting under the scheme but the enclosed Form LS/1 properly completed, must be furnished in respect of all money expended for the purposes of the scheme.

Foirm LS/1

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS

Meánbhrainse Uimh, na Scoile.................................

Scéim Leabhair Saora, 1968/69

1. Ainm agus seoladh na scoile.......................................................................

.......................................................................

2. (a) Costas na leabhair agus gabhálais a tugadh saor in aisce do scoláirí bochta: £.................

Nó/agus

(b) Má tá scéim iasachta bunaithe sa scoil, costas na leabhair agus gabhálais a cheannaíodh chun iad a thabhairt ar iasacht do scoláirí bochta: £............

3. Deimhním go bhfuil an deontas faoi (2) thuas á úsáid chun cúnamh a thabhairt de réir téarmaí na scéime do scoláirí—

(a) atá ina scoláirí aitheanta,

(b) atá (i) ina scoláirí lae nó (ii) ina scoláirí aíochta atá i dteideal cúnamh speisialta a fháil i leith a dtáillí aíochta toisc go gcónaíonn siad ar oileáin nó in áiteanna iarg últa,

(c) nach sealbhóirí scolá fuil i dteideal cúnamh a fháil iad agus

(d) atá, de réir m'eolais, ina scoláirí bochta.

Síniú an Ardmháistir/na hArdmháistreása..............................

Dáta....................

I gcóir na hOifige

Iomlán iníoctha: £.....................

lú ghála a híocadh: £.....................

Fuílleach iníoctha: £ .....................Ordú Íoc. Uimh.....................

Seiceáladh....................

Form LS/1

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS

Brainse an MheánoideachaisSchool No....................

Free Book Scheme, 1968/69

1. Name and address of school.............................................

.............................................

2. (a) Cost of books and accessories supplied to necessitous pupils £................

Or/and

(b) If a lending scheme is being operated, cost of books and accessories bought for lending to necessitous pupils: £..................

3. I certify that the grant at (2) above is being applied in accordance with the terms of the scheme for the benefit of pupils who—

(a) are recognised pupils,

(b) are (i) day pupils or (ii) pupils from islands and remote areas who are eligible to receive maintenance allowances in respect of boarding school fees,

(c) are not ineligible for benefit as holders of scholarships and

(d) are, to the best of my belief, necessitous pupils.

Signature of Headmaster/Headmistress.........................

Date..................

I gcóir na hOifige

Iomlán iníoctha: £.............

lú ghála a híocadh: £.............

Fuílleach iníoctha: £............. Ordú Íoc. Uimhir...............

Seiceáladh................

1. Total number of pupils in the school—

Boys

Girls

Total

Intermediate Certificate

Leaving Certificate

Intermediate Certificate

Leaving Certificate

Boarders

Day Pupils

Total

2. (a) Number of day pupils on whom supplemental grant is payable (i.e. recognised day pupils who do not hold post-primary scholarships)..................

(b) Number of boarders from islands and remote areas eligible to receive special assistance in respect of boarding school fees........................

3. Estimate of the number of necessitous pupils eligible for a grant under the Free Book Scheme and the cost of the books:—

Number of pupils Cost of Books etc.

................. £.................

4. Is it your intention to operate a book lending scheme for necessitous pupils in your school as from the school year 1968/69?..........................

Signature of Headmaster/Headmistress..............................

Date..............................

Please be so good as to complete this return and forward it to the Department as soon as possible but not later than the 13th September, 1968.

R.R.100400 Imlitir: 10/68

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS

FÓGRA DO BHAINISTEOIRÍ AGUS DO PHRÍOMHOIDÍ SCOILEANNA NÁISIÚNTA

Scéim Chun Leabhair a sholáthar saor in aisce do Dhaltaí Gátaracha

1. Is mian leis an Aire Oideachais a chur in iúl do Bhainisteoirí agus do Phríomhoidí go bhfuil socair aige scéim leasaithe a thabhairt isteach chun leabhair scoile saor in aisce a sholáthar do dhaltaí gátaracha atá ar na rollaí i Ranganna II go VI i scoileanna náisiúnta. Sé méid an deontais ná £1 in aghaidh na bliana i leith gach dalta atá gátarach sna ranganna sin agus déanfar é a ríomhadh de réir mar atá á léiriú in Alt 4.

2. Chun críche na scéime is dalta gátarach páiste as teaghlach ina mbíonn fíor chruatan de dheasca dífhostaíochta nó breoiteacht fhada tuiste, páiste as teaghlach mór gan dóthain maoine, páiste gur baintreach an mháthair, 7rl.

3. I mí Dheireadh Fómhair, 1967, iarradh ar bhainisteoirí agus ar phríomhoidí seoraí a thabhairt, ar fhoirm a ullmhaíodh d'aonghnó chun na críche sin, faoin chéatadán de dhaltaí gátaracha ar na rollaí i Ranganna II go VI i ngach scoil. Tá a lán scoileanna ann nár sholáthraigh fós an t-eolas a bhí á lorg. Ní féidir deontas a íoc i gcás na scoileanna sin go dtí go gcuirfear na foirmeacha i gceist agus iad comhlánaithe mar is cóir, thar nais chuig an Roinn.

4. Bunófar méid an deontais a bheidh iníoctha i ngach bliain de na cúig bliana atá rómhainn ar fheidhmiú an chéatadáin de dhaltaí gátaracha, mar a léirítear é ar an fhoirm atá lua ite in Alt 3, i dtaca leis an meánuimhir de na daltaí ar na rollaí i Ranganna II go VI sa scoilbhliain roimhe, m.sh.:

Céatadán de dhaltaí gátaracha=20%

Meánuimhir ar rollaí Rang II go Rang VI sa scoilbhliain dar chríoch 30 Meitheamh=80

Méid an deontais=20% de 80 X £1=£16.

Is leor an t-eolas a soláthraíodh ar an bhfoirm a eisíodh i mí Dheireadh Fómhair, 1967, chun críche íocaíochta na bliana seo.

5. Íocfar an deontas leis an Phríomhoide sa ráithe a chríochnaíonn 30 Meitheamh. Ní gá iarratas faoi leith a chur isteach. Déanfaidh an príomhoide deimhin de go ndéanfar an deontas a dháil mar is cóir agus coimeádfaidh sé cúntas faoin chaiteachas ar cheannach na leabhar do na daltaí. Chun na críche seo tá foirm chúntais shimplí leagtha amach lena comhlánú agus lena coinneáil i gcroinicí na scoile. Tá soláthar chúig bliana de na foirmeacha á chur go dtí gach scoil.

Ba chóir aon locáiste a lomhálfaidh díoltóirí leabhar a úsáid chun críche na scé ime. Ní mór don bhainisteoir an fhoirm chúntais chomhlánaithe a chomhshíniú agus ba chóir go mbeadh an fhoirm ar fáil le haghaidh a iniúchtha ag oifigigh na Roinne.

6. Is le na daltaí féin na leabhair a sholáthrófar faoin scéim. Ba chóir comhairle a chur ar na daltaí cúram a dhéanamh de na leabhair agus clúdaigh a chur orthu.

S. MAC GEARAILT,

Leas-Rúnaí.

Meitheamh, 1968.

R.R. 100400 Imlitir 10/68

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS

NOTICE TO MANAGERS AND PRINCIPAL TEACHERS OF NATIONAL SCHOOLS SCHEME FOR THE PROVISION OF FREE BOOKS FOR NECESSITOUS PUPILS

1. The Minister for Education wishes to inform Managers and Principal Teachers that he has decided to introduce a revised scheme for the provision of free books for necessitous pupils on rolls in 2nd to 6th standards in National Schools. The grant will be at the rate of £1 per year for each necessitous pupil in these standards and will be calculated as shown in paragraph 4.

2. For the purposes of the scheme a necessitous pupil may be defined as a child from a home where genuine hardship exists because of unemployment, prolonged illness of parent, large family with inadequate means, mother a widow, etc.

3. Managers and Principal Teachers were asked in October, 1967, to furnish statistics, on a form specially prepared for the purpose, of the percentage of necessitous pupils on the roll in 2nd to 6th standards in each school. The information asked for has not yet been supplied in respect of many schools. No grant can be paid until the form duly completed has been returned to the Department.

4. The amount of the grant payable in each of the next five years will be based on the application of the percentage of necessitous pupils as shown on the form referred to in paragraph 3 to the average number of pupils on rolls in 2nd to 6th standards for the previous school year, e.g.

Percentage of necessitous pupils=20%

Average number of pupils in 2nd to 6th standards for year ended 39th June=80

Amount of grant=20% of 80 X £1=£16.

The figures already furnished on the form which issued in October, 1967, will suffice to make this year's payment.

5. The grant will be paid to the Principal Teacher in the June Quarter each year. Formal application for the grant will not be necessary. The Principal Teacher will ensure the proper disbursement of the grant and will account for the expenditure on all books purchased by him for the pupils. For this purpose a simple accounting form has been devised for completion and retention in the school records. A five year supply of the form is being sent to each school.

Discounts received from booksellers should be used for the purposes of the scheme. The accounting form when completed should be countersinged by the school manager and should be available for inspection by the Department's officers.

6. Books supplied under the scheme shall be the property of the pupils. The pupils should be instructed to care for the books and have them covered.

S. MAC GEARAILT,

Leas-Rúnaí.

June, 1968.

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS

(Department of Education).

BRAINSE AN GHAIRMOIDEACHAIS

(Technical Instruction Branch).

TEACH TALBÓID

(Talbot House).

BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH, 1.

(Dublin, 1.)

Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin an Coiste Gairmoideachais atá luaite san seoladh.

31 Iúil, 1968.

IMLITIR UIMHIR 28/68

LEABHAIR AGUS GABHÁLAIS IN AISCE—AN SCOILBHLIAIN 1968/69

(1) Tá iarrtha orm ag an Aire Oideachais a chur in iúl duit gur féidir deontais i leith leabhair agus gabhálais in aisce d'íoc de réir téarmaí na litreach seo le daltaí gairm scoile atá ina gcall agus atá ag freastal cúrsaí lae lánaimsire a thagann faoi scéim saoroideachais iarbunscoile.

(2) Chun críche na scéime seo is féidir a mheas mar dhalta atá ina gcall, dalta a bhfuil anró fíor sa bhaile de bharr dífhostaíocht, tréimhse fhada breoiteachta tuismitheora, muirín mór le teacht isteach uireasach, máthair ina baintreach 7rl.

(3) D'fhéadfadh méid an deontais i leith gach dalta ar leith bheith ag brath ar an gcúrsa atá dhá leanacht aige ach ar meán is féidir é a áireamh de réir £8 don chéad bhliain de chúad bhliain de chúrsa na Meánteistiméireachta agus de réir £4 in aghaidh gach bliana eile den chúrsa sin de réir £10 don chéad bhliain de chúrsa na hÁrdteistiméireachta agus de réir £5 d'aon bhliain iar sin. Bheadh costas cóip-leabhair agus gabhálais eile san áireamh ins na figiúrí sin.

Is féidir costas iomlán, nó cuid de costas leabhair agus gábhálais a íoc i leith dalta. Lomháltar leabhair a cheannacht ar athlámh ach an tArdmháistir bheith sásta, trí'n a mbreithniú, gur fiú a costas iad. Áiritear leabhair Teagasc Críostaí faoin scéim. Beidh na leabhair agus na gabhálais a soláthrófar faoin scéim ag dul do na daltaí féin.

(4) Más mian le haon choiste scéim iasachta fheidhmiú, ní miste dóibh déanamh amhlaidh ar an dtuiscint go bhfanfaidh na leabhair a soláthrófar amhlaidh i seilbh an choiste.

(5) Tá suim nach mó ná £ á dháileadh ar do choiste chun an scéim a fheidhmiú i 1968/69 ach ní ceadaítear dul faoi chaiteachas den méid sin maran gá sin chun freastal don líon daltaí atá i gcall sna scoileanna. Meastar gur dothain an tsuim atá dáilithe ar do choiste ach más dóigh leo go bhfuil cúrsaí eisceachtúla ann a thuillfeadh soláthar níos airde, bá ch óirlánfhaisnéis faoi na cúrsaí san a chur chun na Roinne le breithniú; go dtí go dtugann an Roinn breith, ní ceadmhach an soláthar atá ceadaithe a shárú.

Ní mór an locáiste a gheibhtear ó dhíoltóirí leabhar a úsáid chun críche na sc éime.

(6) Beartaítear an modh oibre a bhí i bhfeidhm i 1967/68 a fheidhmiú arís i 1968/69, i.e., a cheadú don choiste méid an deontais a dháileadh ar na scoileanna ar leith de réir a mbreith ar riachtanais gach scoile agus méideanna na ndeontas a íocfar le daltaí ar leith nó ceist na leabhar a thabharfar ar iasacht, de réir mar is cuí, a fhágaint, cuid mhór, ar chómhairle na nArdmháistrí.

(7) Ba chóir eolas beacht a fháil óna hArdmháistrí faoi na micléinn go dtugtar leabhair dóibh saor in aisce nó ar iasacht agus ba chóir an t-eolas seo a chimeád in oifig an choiste le bheith iniúctha ag an iniúchóir.

(8) Ba chóir an fhoirm éilimh leis seo ar aisíoc le ciste do choiste a chomhlánú agus é chasadh ar an Roinn ar an 15 Samhain, 1968, ar a dhéannaí. Ní ceadaítear do na coistí airgead a chimeád le dáileadh i ndiaidh an dáta sin.

(1) The Minister for Education desires me to inform you that grants towards free books and accessories may be paid in accordance with the terms of this letter in respect of necessitous vocational school pupils attending whole-time day courses which come under the scheme of free post-primary education.

(2) For the purposes of the scheme a necessitous pupil may be defined as a child from a home where genuine hardship exists because of unemployment, prolonged illness of parent, large family with inadequate means, mother a widow, etc.

(3) The grant in respect of each individual pupil may vary in accordance with the course followed by him but on average it may be reckoned at £8 for the first year of the Intermediate Certificate course and £4 for each of the subsequent years of that course, at £10 for the first year of the Leaving Certificate course and £5 for any subsequent year. These figures would include the cost of copy books and other accessories.

The full cost or part of the cost of books and accessories for a pupil may be paid. The purchase of second-hand books is allowed provided such books are examined by the Headmaster with a view of ascertaining that they represent good value. Books in Christian Doctrine are included in the scheme. The books and accessories so supplied become the property of the pupils.

(4) Should any committee prefer to operate a loan scheme, they may do so on the understanding that books provided in this manner shall remain the property of the committee.

(5) Your committee is being allocated a sum not exceeding £ to operate the scheme in 1968/69 but expenditure of that amount is not permitted unless the number of necessitous pupils warrants it. It is not anticipated that the sum allocated will be inadequate but if there appear to be exceptional circumstances which, in the opinion of your committee, would warrant a higher allocation, a full statement of such circumstances should be submitted to the Department for consideration; pending the Department's decision, the approved allocation may not be exceeded.

Discounts received from booksellers should be used for the purposes of the scheme.

(6) As was the case in the school-year 1967/68, it is proposed to allow your committee to allocate the amount of the grant among their various schools according to their judgement of the needs of each school and to allow headmasters a wide measure of discretion in the amount of grant which may be paid to individual pupils or in the matter of books to be loaned, as the case may be.

(7) Precise information concerning the students to whom books are given or loaned should be obtained from headmasters and this information should be kept in the committee's office for inspection by the auditor.

(8) The attached claim-form for reimbursement of the committee's funds should be completed and returned to the Department not later than 15th November, 1968. It is not open to committees to retain money for disbursement after that date.

SEÁN MAC GEARAILT,

Leas-Rúnaí.

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS—BRAINSE AN GHAIRMOIDEACHAIS.

Scéim na leabhar saor do dhaltaí gairmscoileanna

Éileamh ar aisíoc don scoilbhliain 1968-69

Dearbhaím gur dháiligh mo choiste £ faoin scéim thuasluaite sa scoilbhliain 1968-69 faoi théarmaí Imlitreach Uimh. 28/68 den 31 Iúil, 1968, agus iarraim go n-aisíocfar an tsuim sin leis an gcoiste.

Siniú ................................................................................................................................

Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin.

Coiste Gairmoideachais...

Dáta...

DON OIFIG É SEO.

Méid iníoctha £....................

Br. na gCúntas

Íoc, le dtoil, as Fo-mhírchinn A1.

Ordú Ioc. Uimh.

Will the Minister state if it is correct that the school managers have full control as to who should receive free books? Is he in a position to state that now?

Substantially, I think it lies with the headmasters.

Is that true?

Why, then, do the Department not agree when school managers or headmasters furnish lists of those entitled to free books? Why are there many cases in which only half of them are sanctioned?

The position is as it appears in a reply I will give later. The question lies with the headmasters, within certain limits, one of the limits being the amount of funds available in regard to particular schools. This may be one of the limitations.

Will the Minister state why one school in a poor working class area could not be given the full number of free books?

I could not state that without specific details being furnished to me. If the Deputy would put down a question, giving specific details——

It could happen in respect of any school in a working class area.

42.

asked the Minister for Education (a) the total amount allocated for free school books in Limerick city, (b) the qualification for the receipt of free school books and (c) if a medical card held by parents entitles children to free school books.

(a) The following sums were allocated last year for free school books for necessitous pupils in Limerick: Primary, £1,702; Secondary, £3,585, and Vocational, £2,016.

(b) The qualification for assistance under the scheme is that the school principal be satisfied that there is genuine hardship in the home due to unemployment, prolonged illness of parent, large family, with inadequate means, mother a widow et cetera.

(c) Subject to the above and to the amount of money available to him, the headmaster has discretion in the matter. I would expect that the possession of a blue card would be taken into account when assessing individual cases.

Is the Minister in a position to state the relationship between the amount allotted and the amount requested, giving average figures? Is he aware that though we in the Limerick Health Authority specified that the holder of a medical card would qualify for free books, a circular has been sent by the Department of Education to the secretary of the health authority stating that this could no longer apply, that this was a manager's function—that all applicants for free books would be controlled by the decision of the headmaster of the particular school to which I am referring? In a school where there are 670 primary pupils, I should like to know how a headmaster could be expected to investigate the circumstances of each individual family. Will the Minister also tell me why, when a sum of £600 was requested in respect of a school of 670 primary pupils, the amount allocated was £150 for 15 classes with an average of 45 children each? That meant that the headmaster or the manager could allocate only £10 to each class of 45 pupils.

This is a very long speech.

I am asking many questions and I am stating facts. I want the questions answered.

I have not got the information available to me in respect of the Deputy's first supplementary question. In regard to his later supplementaries, in so far as he is referring to a specific instance I suggest he should put down a question in relation to that specific instance. The question I have answered does not refer to specific instances and I am, therefore, unable to supply the information. If the Deputy puts down a specific question, he will get the information.

Will the Minister now state that the holder of a medical card automatically is qualified? The Minister has given the assurance to Deputy O'Connell that a medical card automatically qualifies a child.

I said no such thing. What I said was that I would expect that the possession of a blue card would be taken into account when assessing individual cases. They were the exact words I used.

How does the Minister reconcile that with the circular to the secretary of the Limerick Health Authority disclaiming what he has said now?

I do not think the Deputy is correct in his interpretation.

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