Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I am familiar with the issue to which the Deputy has referred. Many of my party members and members of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party have expressed concerns to me about the cost of books and the apparent marginal changes which nevertheless require a new book to be purchased. If parents have two or three children in post-primary school, the cost of such books taken together is substantial, particularly in times when many families are suffering from unemployment or significantly reduced incomes. We must examine that again. Traditionally, the Department of Education and Science has said it does not have a role to play in that regard. I intend to change that. I will meet with the publishers and I will examine all the issues to which the Deputy referred. If any Member of the House has concerns in this area, I would be happy to hear from him or her.

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