Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 557: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the rationale for abolishing the book grant in budget 2009; if this measure could have a significant and negative impact on those children from families on low incomes in particular; if he proposes measures to lessen this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42356/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Notwithstanding the increase of €302 million in the Education budget for 2009, which is a real achievement in the current economic climate, a number of tough and difficult decisions had to be taken. These decisions included reductions on the aid for school books scheme. From 2009 this grant will be available only to schools within the DEIS scheme. By limiting the school book grant to schools within the DEIS scheme savings of approximately €7.5m will be achieved.

DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), is the action plan for educational inclusion and focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities. Approximately €7 million was made available in 2008 to DEIS schools for the school book grant scheme and this fund of €7 million will be made available for distribution to schools in the DEIS programme in 2009. Officials in my Department are currently considering the most appropriate manner in which to distribute this fund. The continuation of the school book grant to these schools is testament to the Government's determination to prioritise social inclusion and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

My Department continues to urge schools to implement book rental schemes as a measure to minimise the cost of school books to all parents. This was the recommendation of a consultancy report, submitted to my Department in 1993, which dealt with the factors which contribute to the cost of school text books. The report, copies of which were sent to all schools, contains a number of useful suggestions, including a Code of Good Practice for successful operation of book rental schemes. My Department fully endorses the report's recommendations.