Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
61. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in County Louth that have been included in the book rental scheme in 2012, 2013 and 2014; the number of schools in County Louth that have applied for the book rental scheme but have not been included in 2012, 2013 and 2014; the process or criteria used when selecting schools to avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/14]
View answer62. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Louth will not be included in the book rental grant in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3001/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to primary schools. The Department will continue to provide a book grant as usual to all primary schools. This grant, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme. I want to commend all schools that have used it to help build up book rental schemes over the years. Their efforts mean that the high costs of school books is being significantly reduced for parents. At my request, the National Parents' Council surveyed the views of their members in relation to currently operating book rental schemes. Parents have reported that where book rental schemes operate, they are open to all parents in 95% of cases, and that the cost per child is under €40 per year in a considerable majority of schools. Perhaps most tellingly, the survey has found that 93% of parents believe that book rental schemes help with the costs of educating a child. Ensuring that book rental schemes are available to all parents must therefore clearly be our aim. I understand that it feels unfair to those schools who have invested time and money to establish such schemes, that they now cannot benefit from the additional funding which was secured as part of the Budget. Of course it is unfair, but equally, the status quo was deeply unfair on many parents. The parents who had no access whatsoever to book rental schemes needed more support. With the limited funding available, I believe that targeting this funding - to make sure that every parent in Ireland has access to some level of a book rental scheme - was the greatest good that could be achieved. The information regarding which schools operate a book rental scheme has been gathered as part of the annual census of schools at primary level since 2011. The details regarding the 2011 and 2012 returns is set out in the table. The data for 2013 is not yet available. The Department is contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme to advise them of the application process. The information requested by the Deputy regarding applications for inclusion in the scheme of funding for the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools is not yet available.
Co. Louth Schools Book Rental Returns
|
Year |
Yes |
No |
|
2011 |
61 |
15 |
|
2012 |
64 |
11 |
