Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 8

Written Answers. - School Textbooks.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

71 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the reason for the constant changing of school text books which puts additional expense on parents; the methods used to select individual texts; the frequency of central meetings for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10647/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Textbooks require to be changed periodically to enable teachers to keep their own and their students' work educationally stimulating and to ensure that the content and methodology are kept up to date.

Apart from a number of prescribed textbooks, decisions on which books to use are taken at school level. School authorities have been advised regularly that textbooks should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary. Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over frequent changes which would increase the cost burden for parents.

Work on the reform of the leaving certificate syllabuses is ongoing by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Revised syllabuses are being introduced on a phase basis thus ensuring that the need to change textbooks is kept to a minimum. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is also engaged in regular consultation with the educational publishers regarding the content of syllabuses and curricula for inclusion in textbooks.

My Department's advisory committee for primary school textbooks which has representation from the educational partners is also examining the preparation of guidelines and specifications for textbooks for use in primary schools. This committee is also drawing up guidelines for the information of parents and schools on the selection and purchase of textbooks and other teaching materials.

In regard to the cost to parents of textbooks, my Department makes provision for the payment of assistance towards the cost of textbooks in the case of necessitous pupils. In addition school authorities are being encouraged and supported to introduce textbook loanrental schemes.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

72 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education the percentage of schools receiving funds for discretionary school book financing in cases of need; the average amount that was made available to primary and second-level schools in each of the last four academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10648/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

Primary

1991-92	2,890 schools 89.64%	received £1,418,085 — average £490.69
1992-93	2,955 schools 92.08%	received £1,630,319 — average £551.72
1993-94	2,982 schools 93.13%	received £1,953,319 — average £655.04
1994-95	3,018 schools 94.22%	received £2,502,915 — average £829.33

Post-Primary

1992-93	738 schools 93.54%	received £2,597,000 — average £3,519
1993-94	729 schools 93.22%	received £2,809,000 — average £3,853
1994-95	728 schools 93.81%	received £2,809,000 — average £3,859
1995-96	721 schools 93.76%	received £3,700,000 — average £5,132

Book Rental Scheme

A scheme was introduced in 1994 for the provision of seed capital for the setting up of a book rental scheme in schools officially designated as disadvantaged and which did not already operate such a scheme. At primary level the seed capital is integrated in the figures shown above. Details of the allocation of seed capital at post-primary level are as follows:

1994-95	86 schools	received £391,000 — average £4,547
1995-96	96 schools	received £520,000 — average £5,417

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