asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning (a) the publication of textbooks in Irish (b) the publication of library books and general information books for schools in Irish and (c) the commitments of previous Governments on an Irish encyclopaedia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Publications Policy.
10.
My Department are involved in the publication of textbooks in Irish on two levels. They provide a back-up service for the private publishers through the provision of standardised terminology, editorial advice and grants towards the cost of printing, publishing, editing and translating or writing textbooks, and they also publish their own textbooks. There is a development scheme in progress for ensuring an adequate and continuous supply of the textbooks in Irish. This involves the appointment of additional staff; both professional and administrative, in the Department's publications branch. Some of these additional appointments have already been made. Although the publications branch are mainly involved with textbooks at present they are also publishing extra reading material, some of which would be suitable for inclusion in school libraries.
With regard to the proposed encyclopaedia in Irish, the position is that, though it was regarded in principle as being a desirable project it was not possible because of the high estimated cost of production to enter into any firm commitment of financial assistance from the Department.
Does the Minister realise that a very important publishing firm is pulling out of publishing altogether because of the lack of support for these publications from the Department of Education?
I have seen a statement to that effect but I would be surprised if the firm in question, if I understand it to be the same as the one in the mind of the Deputy, would pull out from this publishing.
Would the Minister agree that the standard both of text and illustration in the library books published by this firm is very high and that it commands support from the Department?
I am pleased with the firms who are doing this kind of work.
Is the Minister aware that the particular publishing company has already spent, on a moderate estimate by a firm of qualified accountants, £83,000 on foot of a promise made by the Department of Education? Will the Minister now welsh on the promise made by the Department?
Much as I would like to defend myself against accusations of welshing, I would prefer not to discuss the detailed amounts of money being made available to private firms.
Would the Minister agree that a firm which employed a firm of experts, editors and consultants, and paid them in order to be able to market this encyclopaedia on foot of a promise by the Department of Education have a right to feel aggrieved? Would the Minister agree that there is a serious moral obligation on him to stand by that promise and to make moneys available for the publication of that encyclopaedia, part of which has been circulated to people interested? There has been nothing but praise from everybody for the work.
Discussions on the project took place between the officials of my Department and the company and the Department were in favour, in principle, of the production of such an encyclopaedia. The company was not however authorised in writing to proceed with the work nor was any formal contract drawn up. It could be stated therefore that the previous Administration did not enter into any formal commitment in relation to the project.
Is the Minister not using this absence of a signed document as an excuse for shying away from his responsibility?
Would the Minister now give some hope so that all this expert help will not be completely lost? Could I extract from the Minister some hopeful statement about this project?
I am sympathetic towards publication of books in Irish and the Deputy knows that. That is as far as I can go at the moment.
Will the Minister have a go at the Minister for Finance for the money for this fine project? I will take the books into the House so that Deputies can see that it is a worthwhile project. What is required is not very big in terms of the Exchequer and I should be obliged if the Minister would try to screw some money out of the Minister for Finance for this project.
Blood from a turnip.
The project has my sympathy and I will do what I can to see that publication is favoured as much as possible.