asked the Minister for Education the amount of money allotted for the financial year 1970-71 for the provision of free schoolbooks in primary schools; and the amount expended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free School Book Scheme.
112.
The estimate for free books for necessitous pupils in national schools for the financial year 1970-71 was £87,000. The actual expenditure for that year was £64,590.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give an explanation as to why there was this shortfall and can he say whether it might be due to the structure of the free book scheme?
It is not. I am sure the Deputy can appreciate that the Department must make an estimate in advance of the likely figures. They are guided in this, first, by the experience of the previous year and, secondly, by the experience of previous years. Therefore there is nothing undesirable in the amount estimated not being used in full.
113.
asked the Minister for Education the amount of money allotted for the financial year 1970-71 for the provision of free schoolbooks in secondary schools; and the amount expended.
The amount of money allotted for the free books scheme in secondary schools for the financial year 1970-71 was £200,000. The amount of money expended was £186,657.
In the case of secondary schools, I assume that community schools would be included? Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling the House that all these schools received as much money as they sought but that there was some left over?
The community schools were not in operation during the year in respect of which the question was tabled. In the case of secondary schools the procedure is that 50 per cent of what is made available for an individual school in the previous year is made available in August. At that time the principals are asked to supply to the Department an estimate of the needs and to have it completed, if possible, by the end of September. When the certified amount of what has been expended is notified to the Department, the Department pay on that basis.
So that they pay the full amount?
Yes, when they are satisfied that that amount has been expended.
114.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement in relation to the free school book scheme and if he will arrange to have books supplied by the issue of a voucher by his Department; whether he is aware that in one school in Tullamore, County Offaly, with 520 pupils, £28 was provided by his Department in respect of free school books; if he will state the total amount spent on the scheme and the amount remaining to be spent; if he considers the scheme satisfactory; and what action he proposes taking to provide free school books on a more generous basis.
I am satisfied that the most practical and equitable means of operating the free school book scheme is through the school principal. In the case of primary schools the amount of the grant in each case is based on the estimated percentage of necessitous pupils in standards two to six. In the current year £70,000 has been allocated for the provision of free books in primary schools. Of this amount, £58,901 has been spent to date.
In relation to the school referred to in the Deputy's question the only conclusion I can arrive at is that the percentage of necessitous pupils is low.
As the present scheme has been in operation for five years it is due for review. This review will commence shortly.
If the scheme is reviewed, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is intended to promote the establishment of school libraries from funds made available under the free book scheme?
This is related to the percentage of necessitous pupils, to the increasing number of pupils in the schools and the increasing cost of books. The matter of provision for school libraries is not included in the review under question.
In respect of the Tullamore school referred to in the question, can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the sum of £28 was the amount sought by that school?
I have no indication as to the amount sought, but on the basis of an estimated 13 per cent of necessitous pupils in the relevant standards, two to six, the sum of £28 was paid. I have no information as to the amount sought.
Is that not the sort of information that is sought?
There is no suggestion that what was sought was not given.
115.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state the total amount spent on free school books for (a) the last financial year and (b) the present financial year to date; the number of children who qualified for these books; and the number who applied and did not qualify under the scheme.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
Free Books Scheme
|
1971-72 Expenditure |
1972-73 Expenditure |
|
|
Primary Schools |
£67,856 |
£58,901 to 30/9/72 |
|
Secondary-Comprehensive |
£207,660 |
£44,828 to-date |
|
Vocational Schools |
£115,167 |
Not yet available |
NOTE: As the scheme is administered by school principals it is not possible to give any particulars of the numbers who applied for and received grants.