Austin Deasy
Question:257 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to introduce funding for the school library service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Library Service.
My Department already provides grant aid to local authorities for the provision of a library service for primary schools.
This arrangement has been in place since 1971. The grant is paid in respect of all primary school pupils in each local authority area. The money is distributed to the chief librarian of the Local Authority Area and, supplemented by other funds at the disposal of the chief librarian, is used to buy books for lending or distribution to schools.
All local authorities participate in the scheme so every primary school has access to a lending and reference library service. In some rural areas the local authority provides a visiting library service.
The library grant was increased in 1992 from 38p to 47p per pupil and I secured a further increase in 1993 which brought the grant to its present level of 50p per pupil.
In 1989 an allocation of £1 million was provided through national lottery funds for the replenishment of the stock of books used for the national schools library service.
I am satisfied that local authorities are providing a valuable library service to our schools.
In the case of second-level schools, my Department makes grants available for the running costs of schools and it is open to schools to buy books for their libraries out of these grants.
In the provision of new second-level schools, or major extensions to existing schools, a library room is usually included.