Written Answers. - School Libraries.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:
401
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his proposals to provide adequate library facilities in every secondary school to comprehensively cover all subjects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4204/02]
I am conscious of the need to ensure that all schools have access to proper library facilities and resources. At second level my Department provides a library of 100 metres squared in schools with an enrolment of 200 to 499 students, while it provides 136 metres squared of accommodation for a library in schools with more than 500 students. Schools below 200 are examined individually.
Responsibility for the stocking of school libraries falls to be met by individual school authorities from within normal school budgets. In recent years, two grants, amounting to some £5.2 million, €6.60 million, have issued to second level schools under the free education scheme to assist them with the development of their library resource materials.
In 1999, as part of a national reading initiative, my Department channelled some £2.6 million, €3.3 million, to second level schools. The level of grant amounted to £7.70, €9.78, per pupil with a minimum payment of £1,540, €1,955.40, per school. This grant was in addition to the school library grant, amounting to some £2.4 million, €3.05 million, that was paid to schools in 1998. All second level schools in the free education scheme received £2,500, €3,174.35, increased to £5,320, €6,755, 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.
