Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the abolition of the book support scheme grant operated in designated disadvantaged schools; and the impact on low-income families. [43021/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 which in the case of schools outside of the DEIS scheme will involve savings of approximately €7.5 million on current levels. Approximately €7 million was made available in 2008 to DEIS schools for the aid for school books scheme and this fund of €7 million will be made available for distribution to schools in the DEIS programme in 2009.

The DEIS action plan for educational inclusion focuses resources, both human and financial, on those primary and second-level schools serving communities with the highest concentrated levels of disadvantage. As a result of the identification and review processes which were managed by the Educational Research Centre on behalf of my Department, 876 schools have been included in the programme comprising of 673 primary schools (urban and rural) and 203 second-level schools.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost of the book support scheme grant to approved second level schools in the years 1997 to 2007; and the projected saving. [43022/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy on the cost of the School Book Grant at second level from 1997 to 2007 is asfollows:

In framing the budget, a range of very difficult policy choices had to be faced by the Government across all areas of public expenditure, including in the field of education. While education remains a priority for the Government, it has been necessary to curtail expenditure in some areas. One such area is the school book grant. From 2009 this grant will be available only to schools within the DEIS scheme. At second level, by limiting the school book grant to schools within the DEIS scheme savings of approximately €4.75m 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 at primary and post-primary level 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. 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.