Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funds allocated for library facilities in disadvantaged schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8729/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funds allocated by her Department for school libraries in primary and secondary schools respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8730/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.

At primary level it is a matter for each Local Authority to provide a library service for schools in its area. While my Department has no involvement in the actual operation of this service, it does make a grant available to each Local Authority on an annual basis to enable Local Authority Librarians select, purchase, and deliver books to the primary schools in its area. The grant is based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in each Local Authority area.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the estimates provision in respect of library grants has been increased from €1.5 million in 2004 to €2.118 million in 2007, an increase of more then 40% since 2004. At second level my Department provides a library of 100 metres squared in schools with an enrolment of 200-499 students while it provides 136 metres squared of accommodation for a library in schools with more than 500 students. Schools with enrolments below 200 are examined individually.

Responsibility for the stocking of school libraries falls to be met by individual school authorities from within normal school budgets. In recent years two grants, amounting to some €6.60million, have issued to second level schools in the Free Education Scheme to assist them with the development of their library resource materials. Schools were informed that the grants were to be used to improve the range and quality of library books and an information note offering advice on book purchases was issued.

Under the terms of DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project was extended to 10 schools in the 2006/07 school year. These libraries were provided as a part of a whole-school approach to implement strategies to tackle the literacy difficulties experienced by many JCSP students. The funding provided for this project in 2006 was in the region of €1.7m. The Demonstration Library Project will be extended to a further 10 schools in the 2007/08 school year.

On 17 January last my Department invited applications under the Dormant Accounts (Educational Disadvantage) and RAPID Leverage Fund — Small Scale Capital Grant Scheme for Schools. A total of €18 million has been made available to my Department from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the RAPID Leverage Fund to fund projects under the scheme that aim to counteract educational disadvantage. The scheme will provide capital grants for both the enhancement of existing and the provision of new outdoor play areas, school libraries, dining areas and parent rooms. Eligible schools include schools participating in DEIS, schools in or serving RAPID areas and Special Schools.

Having regard to the school libraries measure of the scheme, the measure primarily provides for the enhancement of school library facilities via either the upgrading of existing library facilities or the development of new school library facilities. Eligible activities include the provision of library stock, ICT equipment, fixtures and fittings and the construction and fit out of a new school library. Priority will be given to projects that enhance existing facilities rather than the construction of new facilities.