Co. Wexford branch of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, (INTO), are critical of the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, who, last October, announced the provision of an additional €15 million for book rental schemes in primary schools.

The INTO says only a quarter of primary schools will be in with a chance of getting the additional book rental funding announced in the Budget.

“The vast majority will not even be allowed to apply for it,” said the General Secretary of the INTO, Sheila Nunan, because “schools that have any form of rental scheme in place will be excluded from applying for this money.”

According to the Department of Education only schools that have no rental scheme in place will be entitled to apply for the funding.

Those schools that have schemes in place will be excluded from even applying for the additional funding.

The INTO called on the Minister to be rethink the scheme and introduce an element of flexibility.

Full story in THE GOREY ECHO this week.