Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of grant aid payable per student which will apply in the case of primary schools operating a book loan or rental scheme in 2006 and 2007; the level of seed capital to second level schools operating such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23554/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has urged school authorities to put in place book rental schemes, at both primary and post-primary level, to the greatest extent possible. To that end the School Books Grant Scheme may be used by school authorities for the support of book loan/rental schemes. In respect of the 2005/2006 school year, primary schools operating book rental schemes were paid €23.20 in respect of each eligible pupil in the infant classes and €31.20 for each eligible pupil in the 1st to 6th classes.

In respect of the 2006/2007 school year, primary schools operating book rental schemes have been paid €28.40 in respect of each eligible pupil in the infant classes and €38.10 for each eligible pupil in the 1st to 6th classes. In respect of the 2005/2006 school year primary schools designated as disadvantaged that operated book rental schemes were paid €26.20 in respect of each eligible pupil in the infant classes and €36.20 for each eligible pupil in the 1st to 6th classes. In the 2006/2007 school year primary schools designated as disadvantaged that operated book rental schemes have been paid €32.00 in respect of each eligible pupil in the infant classes and €44.30 for each eligible pupil in the 1st to 6th classes.

An additional €0.5m has been made available under the School Books Grant Scheme in respect of the 2006/2007 school year to primary schools in the School Support Programme under DEIS. Schools participating in the SSP that indicate that they will operate a book/loan rental scheme in 2006/2007 will, in the case of primary schools, receive grant aid at a higher rate per eligible pupil than will apply in the case of schools generally and will, in the case of targeted second level schools, receive a seed capital allocation. The extra funding will be aimed at supporting the establishment, development and ongoing operation of book loan/rental schemes.

The Seed Capital Grant for second-level schools is based on the number of needy pupils in the previous academic year as submitted to my Department under the School Books Grant Scheme. The returns for the 2005/2006 academic year are currently being processed and the rate for 2006 will be finalised shortly.