Schools to benefit from €1m book grant
By Brendan Grehan
SCHOOLS in Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin are set to benefit from an increase of €64 per pupil in the schoolbook grant.
Last Thursday, the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, announced a funding of €1 million which aims to provide free books in primary schools.
St Bernadette’s in Clondalkin
The pilot programme will see the book grant increase from €21 to €85 per pupil in the participating schools, all of which are in the DEIS programme.
The 22 local schools will be informed of the increase in the grant in the coming days.
Announcing the investment Minister McHugh said: “Around 15,500 children, their families and their schools will benefit from the initiative, which is about reducing costs and easing financial burdens as well as helping to improve children’s education and enjoyment of the beauty of books.”
Minister McHugh said the aim of the additional funding is to provide school books for the children in the schools.
St Maelruain’s National School in Jobstown
He added: “The cost of school books is recognised as a significant element of back-to-school costs and is in line with the overall aim of DEIS to ensure all learners have equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“The Department of Education and Skills already provides a book grant of almost €17 million to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including book rental schemes, and all schools are encouraged to operate book rental schemes to help alleviate costs to parents.”
DEIS Schools to receive book grant
- St Louise De Marillac Primary School, Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot.
- St Gabriel’s National School, Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot.
- St Michael’s National School, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot.
- Bainrion Na N-Aingal, Gurteen Road, Ballyfermot.
- St Ultan’s National School, Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot.
- St Peter Apostle Senior National School, Neilstown, Clondalkin.
- Neilstown National School, Neilstown Road, Clondalkin.
- St Mary Junior National School, Rowlagh, Clondalkin.
- St Bernadette’s Senior National School, Quarryvale, Clondalkin.
- St Bernadette’s Junior National School, Quarryvale, Clondalkin.
- St Mary’s Senior National School, Rowlagh, Clondalkin.
- St Maelruain’s National School, Kilclare Avenue, Jobstown, Tallaght.
- Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior, Knockmore Avenue, Killinarden, Tallaght.
- Scoil Cnoc Mhurie Senior School, Knockmore Avenue Tallaght.
- Scoil An Croí Ró Naofa, Killinarden, Tallaght.
- Scoil An Chroí Ró Naofa Soisir, Killinarden, Tallaght.
- St Brigid’s National School, Brookfield, Tallaght.
- St Anne’s Primary School, Kilcarrig Avenue, Tallaght.
- St Thomas Junior National School, Fortunestown Road, Tallaght.
- St Aidan’s National School, Brookfield, Tallaght.
- St Thomas Senior National School, Jobstown, Tallaght.
- Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Garrán an Choill, Tamhlacht.
