Eamon Gilmore
Question:464 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding funding for the national schools library service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4713/02]
Written Answers. - School Libraries.
My Department makes a grant available to each local authority on an annual basis to enable local authority librarians select, purchase, and deliver books to primary schools. The grant is based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in each local authority area. The total value of the grant in 2001 was approximately €1.32 million. It is a matter for each local authority to provide a library service for the schools in its area. My Department has no involvement in the operation of this service.
In May 2000, following the publication of Branching Out, the comprehensive review of public library policy, a working group was established to explore all of the issues relating to the schools library service. My Department, along with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, An Comhairle Leabharlanna and the library authorities is represented on the group, the work of which is continuing.
I am conscious of the need to ensure that all schools have access to proper library facilities and resources. In this regard, in addition to the funding that my Department provides to local authorities on an annual basis, two grants have issued in recent years from my Department directly to primary and post primary schools to assist them with the development of their library resource materials. The first grant was issued by my Department in December 1998. At that time all primary schools received a grant of £1,000 per school, while schools designated as disadvantaged received £3,170 each. The grant that was issued to second level schools in December 1998 amounted to £2,500, while disadvantaged schools received £5,320.
As part of the national reading initiative, a second grant was issued to all primary and post primary schools by my Department in December 1999. Under the terms of this grant, primary schools received a payment of £7.70 per pupil, while a minimum grant of £462 was issued to all schools with 60 pupils or fewer. Post-primary schools also received £7.70 per pupil, while a minimum grant of £1,540 was paid to all schools with fewer than 200 recognised pupils. At primary level the total value of these two grants was approximately £7.7 million, while at second level the two grants amounted to £5.2 million.