Terence Flanagan
Ceist:146. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with the following matter regarding school books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40360/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 25 September 2012
Ceisteanna (146)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very conscious that the cost of textbooks is a considerable burden on families. I have met with members of the Irish Educational Publishers' Association and impressed on them the need to limit the cost of textbooks and to avoid placing schools and families in a position where textbooks are altered unnecessarily. The Association agreed a voluntary Code of Practice among their members, which commits them to limiting the publication of new editions and to maintaining editions in print unchanged for at least six years. The publishers also gave assurances that they will sell textbooks to schools at substantial discounts so schools can purchase in bulk to stock textbook rental schemes.