Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, I want to be very clear that the figure of €96 was arrived at as a consequence of the considerable experience, not just from the pilot free book scheme but also the book rental scheme. There was also engagement in terms of looking at the most recent and up-to-date book lists that are distributed to schools. If one looks at the guidance that went out to schools, one will see that it specifically references textbooks, workbooks and copybooks. That is exactly what the book grant covers and that has been clear from day one.

Deputy Clarke asked about what we will do going forward. A full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be undertaken in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in order to inform the guidance, implementation, cost efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme for future years. The sum of €96 was chosen as a consequence of how a pilot scheme was run for three years. It is quite significant to have a scheme, under the direction of the Department, run for three years. There was incredible learning from that as well as from the 96% of schools that participated in the book rental scheme.

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