Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:30 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the reason pupils in primary school classes below Standard I, that is, those in junior and senior infants classes, are debarred from entitlement under the free book scheme, since (a) a full curriculum for such classes is prescribed by her Department, (b) there is no such restriction on any other group and (c) there is evidence that educational disadvantage due to family poverty begins early; if she intends to rectify this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter.