3 Jun 2014, 16:25
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection will tomorrow consider the school book rental scheme with officials from the Department of Education and Skills and representatives from the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.
3 June 2014
Last June, the Committee recommended the introduction of such a scheme in a report on curbing back to school costs. In October’s Budget, €15 million was allocated for a book rental scheme for primary schools. It has since been clarified that all primary schools will be able to benefit from this funding.
Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Committee says: “Last summer, this Committee published a report urging policy makers, school managers and patrons to revert to the aspiration of delivering a system of free education. A central recommendation from that report was the introduction of school book rental schemes. With a scheme for primary schools introduced for this year’s budget, it is timely that we meet with Department Officials and Union representatives to consider the implementation process for the schemes at primary level. As a Committee, we will also have the opportunity to assess the prevalence of such schemes at second level.”
Separately, the Committee will consider the rising costs of energy and their impact on school budgets. Officials from the Department of Education and Skills and representatives from Dublin Friends of the Earth will offer their perspectives.
Deputy Tuffy continues: “As a Committee, we look forward to the opportunity to assess the extent to which Irish schools are powered in a sustainable and efficient manner. Department Officials are expected to highlight the number of award winning initiatives related to energy use in Irish schools, while Dublin Friends of the Earth will highlight what they perceive as shortcomings in relation to national strategies in the area. We look forward to exploring how the current carbon footprint of Irish schools might be reduced , bearing in mind the potential cost savings from further efforts in energy efficiency.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 4 June at 1 pm in Committee Room 3, LH 2000. Discussions will commence with engagement on school book rental schemes and will be followed by engagement on school energy costs. Public proceedings will be broadcast on Oireachtas UPC Channel 207 from 1pm until 2:30 pm. The meeting can also be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Media enquiries to:
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Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Jim D'Arcy, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Hildegarde Naughten, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Averil Power