asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of the pamphlet Ár nDáltaí Uile which was issued in 1969 (a) the number of copies printed, (b) the number distributed to households, (c) the cost of printing and dispatching in envelopes, (d) the estimated cost of the civil service time involved and (e) the estimated cost of postage at public expense.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Booklet.
29.
485,210 copies of the English version and 56,100 copies of the Irish version of the booklet entitled Ár nDáltaí Uile were printed. Some 400,000 copies were distributed to households while the balance were sent to teachers, schools, public libraries, teacher training colleges and universities, and voluntary agencies and private individuals on request. The total design and printing, including paper cost, was £29,000.
There could no question of my Department being able to make a break-down of the postage or staff costs involved in the distribution of the booklet.
Would the Minister not agree that it was political propaganda at the taxpayers' expense prior to a general election?
No. This was an exceptionally valuable book——
Without a doubt, that and visiting convents.
——very much appreciated by parents. The decision to publish this booklet was taken in January, 1969, and at that time there was no question of a general election.
And there is every question of it now.