Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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772. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to an alternative delivery mechanism for a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13664/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has considered the alternative delivery method referenced by the Deputy. However, it was not considered a viable option to deliver on the objectives of the scheme.

My officials met and engaged with the various stakeholders around the roll out of the new scheme. This included the Irish Education Publishers Association, Bookselling Ireland and IBEC.

The scheme is being planned on the basis that the funding will be provided directly to schools to implement in time for the start of the 2023/24 school year. Schools were recently informed that my Department will issue detailed guidance in advance of the Easter break on the implementation of the scheme.

My Department will carry out an evaluation of scheme to ensure that the aims of the scheme have been met and to identify possible improvements to the future operation of the scheme.