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'Minimal revision' of schoolbooks approved by Quinn

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."