Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1686: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to introduce measures to prevent needless changes in school books that force parents to discard perfectly useable books in order to get the latest edition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29980/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level. My Department does not have a role in recommending, endorsing or approving textbooks.

Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over frequent changes, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents. School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary. However, textbooks have to be changed periodically to enable teachers to keep their own and their students' work educationally stimulating and to ensure that content and methodology are kept up to date.

My Department operates a grant scheme towards the cost of providing school textbooks for pupils from low-income families in schools at first and second-level. Schools are notified of the scheme each year by circular letter.

Principal teachers administer the book grant schemes in schools in a flexible way under the terms of the schemes based on their knowledge of particular circumstances in individual cases. Many schools operate book rental schemes and second-hand book exchanges. My Department actively supports the establishment of book rental schemes with enhanced grants at primary level and a seed capital scheme at second level.

A total of €8m has been provided in my Department's Estimate in 2008 in respect of the School Books Grant Scheme at second-level and a further €6.35m has been provided at primary level.