Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the grants a primary school may apply for this year to do work such as insulating the school, obtaining a new front door, window and infrastructure repair, improvement of playground equipment, and building a new school extension; if there are any e-mail lists or websites that a member of the board of management of a school can register with to receive more information on an ongoing basis or to find out when new funding streams become available; his plans for small works grants in schools for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14681/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that a Minor Works Grant issued to primary schools last November for the school year 2011/2012 at a cost of €28m. It is open to schools to prioritise the use of these funds to address issues such as those to which the Deputy refers.

The Deputy is also aware that total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 (over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary) and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary level.

In this regard, earlier this week I announced details of 219 new major school building projects which will begin over the next five years as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme. These new projects are in addition to 56 major school building projects that I already announced to go on site in 2012.

The priority now is to focus on major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet the demographic demands. The primary aim will be to ensure that every child will have access to a school place.

In the context of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme this year. It is not envisaged that a Minor Works Grant to primary schools will be issued in 2012 for the school year 2012/2013.

Details relating to the school building programme and developments relating to this may be viewed on the Department's website www.education.ie which is updated regularly.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received an application from a school (details supplied) in County Cork for a devolved grant for additional classroom accommodation; if, in view of increasing enrolment, with sufficient numbers to secure employment of a fourth teacher, access issues for a child with special needs, and the willingness of the board of management and the patron to contribute significantly to the cost of additional classroom accommodation, he will sanction a devolved grant application in order that works may begin immediately on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy recently submitted a request for additional accommodation. This application is currently under consideration and a decision will be communicated to the school authorities when this process has been considered.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the requirement to comply with building regulations and the additional costs incurred as a result, he will review the financial allocation to a school (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of the provision of additional classroom accommodation and the shortfall in funding to the board of management arising from this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14686/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated devolved funding for the provision of a mainstream classroom and a resource room under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme in 2010.

In September 2011, the school sought additional funding for ground works and to build an office/staff room, staff toilet and a disabled access toilet. The additional funding for ground works was approved, however funding for the office/staff room, staff toilet and special needs toilet was refused as the scope of works had been increased above what had been approved by my Department. All additional costs associated with the increase in the scope of works must be funded by the school authority.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that there are many competing demands on my Department's capital resources and in this context it must prioritise applications for the provision of much needed additional classroom accommodation.