Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Free Books Scheme.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

63 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the funding allocated to the free books scheme at primary and at post-primary levels over the past five years; if he will give the present level per pupil figure; if he will give an assurance that proposals to link this scheme with the social welfare clothing and footwear scheme will not result in any diminution of funding for the books scheme in the future.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

67 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the number of children at each level who benefited from the free books scheme in each of the past five years.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together.

Details of the funding allocated to the Book Grant for Needy Pupils and the number assisted for the last five years was as follows:

Year	Total Expenditure	No. of Pupils Assisted
Primary	Post-Primary	Primary	Post-Primary
	£m	£m
1988/89	.822	1.582	141,000	126,116
1989/90	.970	1.912	140,000	131,144
1990/91	1.177	2.362	138,450	129,295
1991/92	1.437	2.597	178,067	135,763
1992/93	1.447*	2.597	175.000*	140,262*

*Estimated.

The current rate of grant is £9.25 per pupil for standards I-VI and £4 per pupil for infant classes, at primary level and approximately £18.50 at post-primary level.

The linking of the books scheme to the clothing and footwear scheme has no implications for the level of funding which will be available for the book scheme.