Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the publication of unnecessary new school book editions; and his plans to reform the grant made available to schools to assist in purchase of school books. [18715/11]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce at primary and post primary level a national book rental scheme. [18716/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

I am aware of the concern expressed by many parents and organisations in relation to the high cost of school books and the frequent rate of revisions made by book publishers. I previously indicated to the House that I would meet with book publishers and representatives of parents to discuss this important issue in greater detail. I can confirm to the Deputy that I met recently with these groups, including representatives of the St. Vincent de Paul. I emphasised to book publishers the need to minimise the amount of changes they make in textbooks and the avoidance of new editions, where only minor changes are involved. I also urged them to consider closely the cost of books they supply to the market.

I also raised concerns from sections of the visually impaired community about the level of co-operation between book publishers and the National Braille Production Centre. The educational publishers have agreed to reflect on the concerns I raised with them and I am currently awaiting a formal response from them in response to our recent meeting. I sympathise with parents who are experiencing difficulty in paying for school books. The harsh economic reality in Ireland means money is tight for many parents. It is precisely for that reason that I will continue to encourage schools to establish book rental schemes as the most effective means of lowering the cost of books for all students.

Many schools are already using the funding for books provided by my Department to operate successful rental schemes, however there remains room for improvement across the wider education system. I am currently examining how best to encourage schools to establish book rental schemes and I have asked the National Parents Councils to provide me with examples of best practice that they have encountered in this area and I will disseminate these to schools.