Vol. 520 No. 5
178 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is any financial assistance available for a school library (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16241/00]
As part of a national reading initiative designed to promote reading, my Department channelled approximately £2.6 million in 1999 to second level schools in the free education scheme by way of grants to assist them with the development of library resource materials. The level of grant amounted to £7.70 per pupil with a minimum payment of £1,540 per school.
This grant was in addition to the school library grant, amounting to approximately £2.4 million paid to schools in 1998. All second level schools in the free education scheme received £2,500, increased to £5,320 in the case of schools classified as disadvantaged. Schools were informed that the grants were to be used to improve the range and quality of library books and an information note offering advice on book purchases was issued in 1999.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school referred to benefited from these additional grants.
