Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2005
87 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the policy statement of the School Library Association of Ireland, in particular the need to adequately fund library services in both primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7963/05]
View answer116 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will support the recommendation that her Department be statutorily obliged to provide a library service in all primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7864/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 116 together.
At primary level it is a matter for each local authority to provide a library service for schools in its area. While my Department has no involvement in the actual operation of this service, it makes a grant available to each local authority on an annual basis to enable local authority librarians select, purchase and deliver books to the primary schools in its area. The grant is based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in each local authority area.
The Estimates provision in respect of library grants has been increased from €1.5 million in 2004 to €2.026 million in 2005, an increase of35%. The question of increasing the grant in the future will be considered in the context of available resources.
At second level my Department provides a library of 100 metres squared in schools with an enrolment of 200 — 499 students while it provides 136 metres squared of accommodation for a library in schools with more than 500 students. Schools below 200 are examined individually. Responsibility for the stocking of school libraries falls to be met by individual school authorities from within normal school budgets. In recent years two grants, amounting to some €6.60 million, have issued to second level schools in the free education scheme to assist them with the development of their library resource materials. Schools were informed that the grants were to be used to improve the range and quality of library books and an information note offering advice on book purchases was issued.
