Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Jul 1995

Vol. 455 No. 4

Written Answers. - Book Grant Scheme.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

115 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the workings of the book fund allocation to secondary schools in the Dublin area; the means by which this fund is advertised for parents in need; if there is a standard application form; and if she will guarantee that all parents with children in need who are sanctioned for this assistance will be assisted well in advance of their children returning to school in September in order that they are not humiliated or stigmatised further by not having the necessary books. [12389/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The aim of the book grant scheme is to provide financial assistance towards the cost of school books for needy pupils in post primary schools.

The scheme is administered through the principals of the schools who have discretion in the selection of pupils to be assisted, the amount of assistance to be given to each pupil and the form such assistance will take, subject to the level of funds made available to them.

In addition, principals also have discretion with regard to how the scheme is publicised to parents and how parents can apply for assistance.

In order to enable schools to provide some level of assistance to parents before the start of the 1995-96 school year, my Department has already advanced funds to the schools. The balance of the grant will be provided in October subject to confirmation of the number of needy pupils enrolled in each school.