Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I extend apologies on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, who could not be here. I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the Department's current position regarding the allocation of funding under the emergency works grant scheme. The main purpose of the emergency works grant scheme is to ensure the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are most in need of resources as a result of an unforeseen event of a capital nature that can arise during the course of a school year.

The application process under the scheme elicits specific relevant information to enable a verifiable, speedy and equitable response to emergencies as they arise. Primary and post-primary schools requiring emergency works to be undertaken should apply under this scheme. The purpose of this scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies. It is not intended that this scheme will be used to supplement previous applications under other schemes that have not been successful in securing funding. All relevant and supporting information in respect of an application must be provided in order to support a claim for emergency grant aid. All applications are dealt with on an individual basis.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school submitted an application for funding in respect of the roof works at the sports hall under the emergency works grant scheme and that a grant was approved on 16 October 2007 to cover these works. In addition, I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that under the dormant accounts scheme, Ardscoil Phádraig received grant approval for the provision of outdoor play facilities. I again thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position to the House.

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