Labour Cutting Back to School Costs

Book Rental SchemeI welcome the book rental scheme for primary schools, which will reduce the cost burden on parents with young children.

The Minister for Education Mr. Ruairí Quinn committed an extra €15 million over the next three years to support book rental schemes in schools that don’t currently have them.

Book rental schemes have been very successful for many schools already and the schemes can result in savings of up to 80 per cent of the cost of school books for parents.

It’s good to see that the book rental scheme is expanding and that funds are being made available for more schools to avail of this excellent scheme.

Back to school costs for children can pose a financial burden on families and this worthwhile initiative will make it easier for parents to manage.

The book rental scheme funds will be paid to schools in the form of a seed capital grant, with DEIS schools receiving €150 per child and €100 per child in non-DEIS schools. The €15 million already provided to schools that currently operate these schemes will continue. This funding should be used to maintain an updated stock of school books.