Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
312. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grant support or other financial support is available to secondary schools to help them establish a book rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3773/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €16.9 million in 2019 to all of these schools.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents. The most recent figures available indicate that 68% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need.
The arrangements in relation to the book grant scheme are set out in Circular 0046/2013 which is published on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2013.pdf
