Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 2

Written Answers. - Library Facilities for Students.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

88 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education her views on whether access to library facilities and familiarity with library research techniques are an essential ingredient in a pupil's education; and if she will introduce financial assistance for second level schools to provide libraries for their pupils, either for individual schools or networked between a number of schools.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Pupils should have access to various learning resources including an extensive collection of books.

It is important for schools to have access to library facilities. The most general practice in the second-level schools is that they build up a library over a period of years and that they avail themselves of local library services.

While there is no specific scheme for the provision of funds to establish or restock school libraries, my Department makes grants available for the running costs of the schools and it is open to schools to purchase books for their libraries out of those grants.

In the provision of new second-level schools, or major extensions to existing schools, a library room is usually included.