Extension of book rental scheme will help more parents with costs

Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the announcement by Minister Ruairí Quinn TD that all primary schools are to be offered funding from the €15 million School Book Rental Scheme capital fund.

“Following representations from schools currently operating the school book rental scheme who quite rightly, in my opinion, felt aggrieved that they were being penalised for having the scheme already, I lobbied the Minister, Ruairí Quinn, on their behalf. I am delighted that Minister Quinn has responded to my request and has now agreed to allocate €8.3 million over 2 years (2015-2016). This funding will give recognition to these schools for the work they have put in while establishing their book schemes and allow them to expand their scheme or replace books in use. These schools will receive €18 per pupil in non-DEIS schools and €20 per pupil in DEIS schools in addition to their annual book grant.

Schools seeking to establish new book rental schemes were invited to apply for funding last October and to date the Department has received 400 applications. In the next few weeks €5 million will be distributed to schools to establish their schemes in time for the next academic year.

“The balance of €1.7 million will be distributed to qualifying schools in 2015. The funding will be allocated as follows: DEIS schools will receive €150 per child and non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child in seed capital funding over the next two years to establish book rental schemes. This is in addition to the €15 million book grant which is already paid to all schools.

“We recognise that many parents struggle with the cost of equipping their children for school, and enabling schools to set up book rental schemes should go a long way towards tackling these costs.

“I am delighted that thirteen schools in my constituency have been allocated a total of €300,000 to support the setting up of their book rental schemes. As a former teacher I have always advocated in favour of book rental schemes for schools and I am delighted that all primary schools can operate a book rental scheme which will further reduce the back to school costs for parents.”