asked the Minister for Education the total State expenditure on free book schemes in primary and secondary schools in 1982; and the ratio of this spending to total pupil enrolments.

The total State expenditure on the schemes for aid towards the cost of school books in primary and secondary schools in 1982 was £1,885,125.

The schemes relate to the supply of the books to necessitous pupils. There is, accordingly, no relevant ratio between the total expenditure on such schemes and the total number of pupils enrolled in primary and secondary schools.

Has the Minister any information in respect of the budgetary provisions for the present school year?

I do not have that information.