Noel Dempsey
Question:57 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide funds to set up the school book rental scheme. [10258/95]
Written Answers. - Book Rental Scheme.
Mary Wallace
Question:62 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education if funding will be provided by her to set up the school book rental scheme. [10261/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 62 together.
One of the priorities in the programme A Government of Renewal is the making of adequate provision for the establishment and maintenance of school book rental schemes at primary and secondary level for disadvantaged pupils.
I have already provided specific funding to encourage the operation of book rental-loan schemes in schools.
In the case of primary schools I decided to use the scheme of book grants towards the cost of school books for needy pupils as a vehicle to encourage the wider use of book loan-rental schemes.
On that basis primary schools designated as disadvantaged prepared to operate such schemes received additional grant aid in 1994.
At second-level I am pleased to have been in a position to provide £391,000 for the 1994-95 school year to 86 schools for the purpose of setting up rental schemes for schools which have been designated as disadvantaged and which did not operate such a scheme prior to the 1994-95 school year.
A total of 18,858 pupils benefited under the scheme in 1994-95.
The funding for the scheme has been increased by approximately 30 per cent this year to total £2.46 million at primary level and to £4.2 million at postprimary level. I propose to use a significant element of the increase to provide additional funding to schools which are designated disadvantaged to assist with the setting up of book rental schemes.