Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost to the State for introducing a completely free book scheme for primary school students that would not require payment of a rental fee by parents; the projected cost to the State of introducing a completely free book scheme for secondary school students that would not require payment of a rental fee by parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33520/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The information sought is not readily available to my Department, however one estimate from publishers' sources suggests that the Irish school book market is worth approximately €60 million per annum.

My Department provides some €15 million in book grants annually to primary and secondary school students andit would cost an estimated €45million to cover the full cost.

In addition Budget 2014 provided funding of €5million for three years to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that did not operate such schemes