Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 June 2014
49. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow which does not currently operate a book rental scheme will receive funding for the establishment of such under the book rental scheme 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23679/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2013 funding of €5million for three years was provided to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that did not operate such schemes. DEIS schools will receive €150 per child and non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child in seed capital over the next two years to establish book rental schemes. This will cost approximately €6.7m. The school referred to by the Deputy operates a book rental/loan scheme and therefore did not qualify for this funding under the initial scheme.
I indicated that following allocation of the initial round of funding, I would re-examine the scheme to see if I could allocate funding to primary schools that already had such schemes. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the balance of the funding, some €8.3m, will be divided among all primary schools that currently operate book rental schemes in 2015 and 2016. These schools are expected to receive €18 per pupil or €20 per pupil in DEIS schools over those two years. Every primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will now benefit from the School Book Rental Scheme.
