Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider following the practice of the Department of Education in the United Kingdom by introducing a national school books service to reduce the increasing cost that burdens parents every year because of the changing curriculum and changing reading lists; if he will consider establishing a review body to report back to him within weeks to advise on the way the cost of books can be reduced; if he will ask the review body to consider the benefits of a graded reader scheme versus text books which can often go out of date; his views that the benefits in significant savings for a family along with the individual benefit to the student using a graded reader scheme will have a significant impact in our education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19031/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I share the concern expressed by many parents and organisations, including the St. Vincent de Paul, 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 that I met with these groups, including representatives of the St. Vincent de Paul on the 22nd June.

The education publishers have agreed to reflect on the concerns I raised with them and I am currently awaiting a formal response from them following our recent meeting.

I am currently examining how best to encourage schools to establish book rental schemes. I have also asked the National Parents' Councils to provide me with examples of best practice which they have encountered in this area and I will disseminate these to schools.