Vol. 482 No. 5
138 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the findings, if any, from the operation of school book rental schemes; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to finance these schemes in areas of need. [18403/97]
A consultancy report, which was submitted to my Department in 1993, dealt with the factors which contribute to the cost of school text books. The main conclusion of the report was that book rental schemes are the most practical way of limiting the cost of school books to parents.
The report, copies of which were sent to all schools, contain a number of useful suggestions, including a code of good practice for the successful operation of book rental schemes. My Department endorses the recommendations and urges school authorities to put in place book loan rental schemes to the greatest extent possible. In this context, higher rates of grant are now allocated to all primary schools which operate book rental schemes.
The report recommended also that a special grant be made to disadvantaged schools which commit themselves to book rental schemes, to help overcome problems of seed capital. Since 1984 special grants have been provided, on an annual basis, to primary and second level schools which are categorised as disadvantaged.
