Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to her reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 501 and 502 of 6 March 2007, the system used to count or measure for the library grant which is based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in each local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28472/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Enrolment data is based on the Annual Primary School Census which provides information on the enrolment and staffing of all schools at the last Friday in September of each year. This information forms the basis for how the Department provides teachers and grants to schools and is also the basis on which library grants are made to Local Authorities. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the 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. The question of increasing the provision in the future will be considered in the context of available resources and priorities within the education sector.