Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
293. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will allocate €10 per primary school child for schools to buy books for their libraries including audiobooks and picturebooks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45930/21]
View answerThe annual estimated cost of allocating €10 per pupil to fund library books in primary schools would be circa €5.4 million.
An arrangement was made through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 1971, whereby the local authority librarians would provide services for 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 and Skills 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.
