asked the Minister for Education the present position in relation to the free book scheme for schools; and if it is intended to extend the scope of the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schools Book Scheme.
40.
I am satisfied that the free book scheme for schools is meeting the reasonable demands of needy pupils for assistance. The question of extending its scope does not, therefore, arise.
I accept that the free books scheme for schools was a very progressive step. However, I do not agree with its administration particularly in relation to students whose parents are holders of medical cards. They can get free books, whereas someone whose parents do not have a medical card will not get free books. This has taken on a kind of stigma from the point of view of children whose parents have medical cards.
The Deputy may not debate the whole position.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider, a scheme which would allow school managers to administer the scheme?
I am calling Question No. 41.
This is a very important question.
I am asking the Deputy to put a question and to cease making statements.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the present scheme in relation to free books is unjust and inequitable mainly because although applications by school managers may be right, when they are sent to the Department they are not accepted? The system is inequitable at the moment.
Let us clarify it. In reply to Deputy Collins, there is no provision in this scheme which establishes that only the children of parents with medical cards will qualify. Under the scheme as established the question of medical cards does not arise. It depends on headmasters and principals in each case. It is extremely flexible. It may be that principals have inquired as a rule of thumb, whether the parents had medical cards. I know that in practice they do not stick to that rigidly. Deputy O'Connell mentioned the amount of money we make available. I should like to say that you cannot know in advance the amount of money that will be required in the coming year so what we normally do is to make advance payments of about half of what was made available for the previous year and then, when we have got the estimate from the principal concerned, we pay the balance.
My information is that the manager of the school submits the number of requests from applicants having considered them himself. Having regard to the flexibility of the scheme, as suggested by the Parliamentary Secretary, he decides that 100 students need free books. He submits the request to the Department and they approve of 50. There are complaints from managers of schools to that effect. If I am wrong I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to tell me because if I am wrong the managers must be wrong.
The suggestion that if there are 100 applications the Department approve of 50 is not correct.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling the next question.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling the House that the full complement of free books is provided on demand?
Is the Deputy suggesting that everyone who makes an application should qualify?
If they have been approved by the manager and a demand is sent to the Department for a certain number of books, is the Parliamentary Secretary telling us that the demand is met in full? I say it is not and I am not without experience of this.
The system is wrong.
(Interruptions.)
Apart from the other provisions that are made available by way of free transport, free education, and otherwise, 25 per cent of pupils attending secondary school are at present availing of this, and 30 per cent of the pupils attending the vocational schools.
I am talking about the books.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary give us the proportion of students who should be receiving these books and will he give us the proportion the managers think should be receiving them?
Does the Deputy think there is nothing else to be done except to work out proportions for every school in the country?
(Interruptions.)
What about the poor Official Reporter?
Deputy Collins wishes to ask another supplementary.
While I accept that there is a limited amount of money available for the free book scheme, would the Parliamentary Secretary consider a scheme under which the manager or principal of the school would be allowed discretion in relation to the building up of a library which would eliminate the question of who gets which books? A supply of books would be available year after year. That is the constructive suggestion.
That is the answer. Stop changing the books every year.
I do not know whether Deputy Collins wants an answer from Deputy O'Connell.
(Interruptions.)
It is amazing the way Deputy Coughlan and I happen to come to the same conclusion.
I am only trying to educate the Parliamentary Secretary.
Will the Deputy listen to what is being done? The machinery is quite flexible. First of all, there is a grant of the full cost of the books. Secondly there is the purchase of secondhand books, and thirdly the pupils are given books on loan. Fourthly, there is a part lending or part grant scheme. That is all being done.
Question No. 41
(Interruptions.)