Publishers agree minimal revision with Minister over school books

Educational publishers say they've managed to make minimal revisions to school books in Ireland, as agreed with the Education Minister.

Ruairí Quinn agreed a code of practice with the publishers to ease pressure on cash-strapped parents.

Now, The Irish Educational Publishers' Association's published a new survey saying they've managed to hold off on price increases and revisions to the books they produce.

The IEPA is also reporting an increase in demand for eBooks - though they're calling on the government to decrease the 23% VAT rate they're subject to.

General Secretary of the IEPA Cliodhna O'Donoghue explains why eBooks represent value: "Money can be saved because publishers don't have to pay printing or warehousing costs.

"Generally that means we offer a discount of between 20% and 35%.

"However, much of the saving is negated by 23% VAT. The IEPA have called for that to be reduced but the Minister for Finance has declined to do so on the basis that it would require a reduction in all other areas subject to the same type of VAT."