asked the Minister for Education, in view of the fact that parents will be obliged to purchase an extensive range of new text books on the introduction of the national junior certificate programme, if she will increase the book grant to post-primary schools.
Written Answers. - Book Grant Scheme.
141.
The introduction of the new syllabuses should not necessitate the purchase of an extensive range of new text books. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will issue guidelines about suggested approaches which should be helpful in this regard. Despite the severe financial constraints at present, I am pleased to say that it has been found possible to provide for an increase of approximately 20 per cent in the provision for aid towards the cost of school books for necessitous pupils in the post-primary sector in 1989.