School Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Questions (702, 705, 715, 717, 722, 723, 740, 745)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

702. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the school libraries grant will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30479/21]

Carol Nolan

Question:

705. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the possibility of restoring the grant that was cut in 2009 which enabled primary schools to buy books for their libraries. [30527/21]

Cormac Devlin

Question:

715. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education the status of the library book capitation grant for primary schools; if she will consider reinstating the scheme as part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30633/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

717. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will reinstate funding to primary schools to purchase library books that was cut in Budget 2008. [30673/21]

James O'Connor

Question:

722. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will reinstate the school library grant to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30831/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

723. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the cost of reinstating the grant for primary schools to buy library books which ceased in 2009, annually; her views on reinstating the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30840/21]

Colm Burke

Question:

740. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to reinstating the schools library grant which was abolished in Budget 2008 given the support would be of enormous benefit to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31086/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

745. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost per annum to restore the grant given to primary schools to purchase library books which was cut in Budget 2008. [31137/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 702, 705, 715, 717, 722, 723, 740 and 745 together.

An arrangement was made through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 1971, whereby the local authority librarians would provide services for Primary schools. At that time my Department made a grant available for this purpose based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in the local authority areas.

The amount of the grant payable to each local authority was based on the number of primary pupils in the relevant area and amounted to €4.52 per pupil. The full year estimated cost of reinstating the library grant is circa €2.5m

As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to schools.

As the Deputies may be aware, local libraries provide a wide range of resources and activities which support Primary schools in developing children’s literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills

However, responsibility for the support and provision of library services rests with my colleague, Heather Humphreys, TD Minister for Rural and Community Development.

I am committed to investing in education but I have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given economic circumstances. Therefore, I have to prioritise provision of funding directly to schools and direct funding of library services is a matter for my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys. Regretfully therefore I am not in a position to reinstate the library grant.