Vol. 553 No. 6
50 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the current level of grants available to schools to provide books for needy pupils for 2002; if his attention has been drawn to calls made by the INTO for a review of the scheme and an increase in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14731/02]
My Department operates an aid for schoolbooks grant scheme at primary level. The purpose of the scheme is to alleviate the costs of providing school textbooks for eligible pupils in primary schools. For the purposes of the grant scheme, an eligible pupil is defined as a pupil from a family where there is genuine hardship because of unemployment, prolonged illness of a parent, large family size with inadequate means, single parenthood, or other family circumstances – such as substance abuse – which would indicate a similar degree of financial hardship. My Department issues an annual circular to all primary schools and, through the principal teachers of individual schools, invites applications for assistance under the scheme. Principal teachers administer the book grant schemes in schools in a flexible way, under the terms of the schemes, based on their knowledge of particular circumstances in individual cases.
A consultancy report, which was submitted to the Department in 1993, dealt with the factors that contribute to the cost of school textbooks. The main conclusion of the report was that book rental schemes are the most practical way of limiting the cost of schoolbooks to parents. The report, copies of which were sent to all schools, contains a number of useful suggestions, including a code of good practice for successful operation of book rental schemes. My Department endorses the recommendations and urges school authorities to put in place book rental schemes to the greatest extent possible. For this reason, enhanced grants are paid to schools that operate book rental schemes. At primary level, in 2002, a total of €3,679,000 has been provided towards the aid for schoolbooks grant scheme. I can assure the Deputy that, in the context of securing additional resources for the primary education sector, the question of increasing the resources available to this grant scheme will be considered.
Does the Minister agree that the scheme is in need of review, considering that what is now in place is a pool of money for which a principal teacher in a particular school submits an application and that the amount of money disbursed depends on the number of applicants? Does he agree that that can result in an individual pupil in a particular class in a given school getting less than what is required for a single text book and that the cost of text books is quite exorbitant, especially in view of curricular changes? Does he agree that needy pupils in deprived areas require a far greater amount of money for text books? While I applaud what the Minister has said about the rental scheme, greater funding and a more generous approach is required for needy pupils. Will the Minister consider reviewing the scheme?
I accept the Deputy's point that the scheme could benefit from a review. However, my first priority is to try to secure increased resources for the scheme and I am sure the Deputy would support me in that regard. In addition to the particular aspect to which the Deputy referred, there are other things which need to be looked at. There are six different rates of payment in relation to the grant scheme and I believe that could be reduced. While I am favourably disposed towards a review, my priority over the next few months will be to get increased resources for the scheme. After that, I would have no objection to reviewing the scheme and how it operates. No doubt, a committee on education and science will be established in the near future and perhaps this is one of the topics we should discuss at an early date to see if there are ways and means of improving the scheme.
Perhaps the Minister would bring some imagination, innovation and, even, courage to this matter. Would he agree that the fact that text books change so frequently is a problem? The fact that text books are so heavy is a serious problem which needs to be addressed. Does the Minister agree that a move to a modular system would be desirable, whereby books could be divided in chapter form so that only the required chapters need be carried to school every day? This would also facilitate sharing of books and thereby cut the cost. Will the Minister consider an innovative solution which would reduce the weight of school bags, a major problem in itself, which one of his predecessors – the Minister before last – identified but failed to resolve? Will he give a commitment to examine this with a degree of courage and innovation and come up with practical solutions that will actually work? He should tackle the publishers.
I hope the Deputy might acknowledge that, in my previous ministerial position, I showed a certain amount of innovation and courage but I may not always have received the support I would have liked. Perhaps I will get support from across the floor of the House this time. The suggestion of presenting text books in modular form is certainly an interesting one. I acknowledge that, because of changes in the curriculum, text books are changing and becoming more expensive. That is a serious concern. However, I believe the book rental scheme is one of the best ways of assisting pupils and it has worked extremely well in other areas. If we are to have a review and take suggestions on board, we should have a good look at the book rental scheme with a view to encouraging more schools to avail of it. I am not sure what the uptake of the scheme is in disadvantaged areas but we should set out to make it very attractive for as many schools as possible to participate.
