Written answers
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Department of Education and Skills
Book Rental Scheme
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason fairer scheme for book rentals cannot be put in place; if he proposes to determine the details of rental schemes being operated in individual schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1102/14]
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware from Budget 2014 that additional funding has been provided which will involve an investment of €15m to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that do not currently operate them. The Department will provide €5m in seed capital per annum over a three year period to such schools.
The Department asked all primary schools in October last if they operated a book rental scheme. More than 80% indicated that they have a book rental scheme in operation. I do not propose to conduct any further surveys to establish the details of the rental schemes in operation in each of these schools. It is my aim to ensure that every primary school in the country has a book rental scheme. Therefore, I am targeting schools with no schemes initially as to include all primary schools would mean that the funding would be so diluted that it would have little impact. However, should more funds become available I would like to extend the grants to others.
The Department will be contacting primary schools that do not currently operate a book rental scheme to advise them of the application process. Following receipt of applications from these schools it will be possible to determine whether any residual funding may be made available to other schools.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department will continue to provide a book grant to all primary schools. This grant, which provided €7m to primary schools in 2013, can be utilised for the purposes of updating or expanding a school's existing book rental scheme.
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