Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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997. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will investigate reinstating the school library grant to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40238/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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An arrangement was made through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 1971, whereby the local authority librarians would provide services for Primary schools. At that time my Department made a grant available for this purpose based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in the local authority areas.

The amount of the grant payable to each local authority was based on the number of primary pupils in the relevant area and amounted to €4.52 per pupil. The full year estimated cost of reinstating the library grant at a similar level is circa €2.5m.

As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to children.

As the Deputies may be aware, local libraries provide a wide range of resources and activities which support primary schools in developing children’s literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills.

I am committed to investing in education and therefore, I have to prioritise provision of funding directly to schools. Regretfully I am not in a position to re-instate the library grant.

Responsibility for the support and provision of funding for library services rests with my colleague, Heather Humphries, TD Minister for Rural and Community Development.