Paul McGrath
Question:122 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of the free book scheme in primary schools; and if she has any plans to improve the scheme.
Written Answers. - Primary School Free Book Scheme.
I am very conscious of the financial demands made on parents of school pupils in providing school textbooks for their children.
In this regard, I have obtained an increase of £200,000 in the provision for this scheme at primary level bringing the allocation for 1993 to a level of £1,647,000.
I am satisfied that this increase is reasonable in the present budgetary circumstances, and I will continue to seek further improvements to the scheme as resources permit.