asked the Minister for Education the annual financial allocation for primary school libraries in County Kildare for the period 1973 to 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare School Libraries.
6.
My Department's annual financial allocation for primary school libraries in County Kildare in the period 1973 to 1976 was as follows: 1973, £2,759; 1974, £3,574; 1975, Nil; 1976, £4,016.
The grant for 1977, which is likely to be of the same order as that for 1976, is not due for payment until August, 1977.
Would the Minister consider, because there was no allocation at all in 1975, and because there has been a frightful increase in the cost of hardback books which are essential for primary school pupils, giving a substantial increase in the present and subsequent years?
I would be anxious to see as much money as possible going into libraries and the provision of books. However, I do not think I will be able to increase the money this year. If there are more pupils, the grants automatically go up because they are paid on a per capita basis.
Is Kildare unique in the fact that it got no allocation in 1975?
No, the scheme was suspended in 1975.