Vol. 491 No. 6
305 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions, if any, he has had with publishing companies who supply educational books and other material to primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/98]
306 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of publishing companies who supply educational books to primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12924/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
My Department consults regularly with the publishers' representative body, the Irish Educational Publishers' Association, on matters relating to the publishing of school textbooks. This association represents ten publishing companies which supply textbooks to primary schools.
In addition, publishers provide valuable representation and advice to various working groups which I have set up within my Department. Most recently, the working group on the Weight of Children's Schoolbags sought the views of the publishers on possible solutions to problems arising from the weight and size of textbooks for primary and post-primary pupils.
Finally, specifications and guidelines for publishers are being drawn up as part of the preparations for the introduction of the revised primary curriculum.
