Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way and when schools can access recently announced book rental scheme funding; the timeframe for the distribution of same funding to schools; if his Department has contacted schools regarding this funding since the announcement was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23852/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In Budget 2013 funding of €5 million for three years was provided to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that did not operate such schemes. DEIS schools will receive €150 per child and non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child in seed capital over the next two years to establish book rental schemes. This will cost approximately €6.7m. Eligible schools received the first instalment of this grant in April 2014.

Recently I indicated that the balance of the funding, some €8.3m, will be divided among all primary schools that currently operate book rental schemes in 2015 and 2016. These schools are expected to receive €18 per pupil or €20 per pupil in DEIS schools over those two years. Every primary will now benefit from the School Book Rental Scheme. My officials are currently finalising the dates this funding will issue and they intend to inform schools once it has been finalised.