Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue relating to my locality. The situation to which I wish to refer is no doubt replicated throughout the country. In June of this year, the management of the Christian Brothers high school, Clonmel, noticed a leak in the building that houses the first year and transition year students. The building was erected in 1899 and is now a listed structure. Architects and builders investigated the nature of the leak in June and discovered that the damage to the roof was considerable. In light of the serious nature of the damage and the fact that the building is listed, they recommended that the roof be replaced.

When there is wet weather in Clonmel, the roof leaks. When heavy rain occurs, tiles tend to slide off the roof and there is a danger that they might hit students. Some 156 students, approximately 20% of the population of the school, use the building each day. They are placed in danger when walking through it because the floors are chronically slippy and the stairs are incredibly hazardous. While tiles do not fall from the roof regularly, the danger to first year and transition year students remains.

This urgent situation was brought to the attention of the Department of Education and Science and an application was made for emergency funding. The latter was refused. The authorities at the school are afraid to put students at risk during the winter months in such a negligent manner. Knowing the dangers inherent in this situation, on which the architect briefed them, they are afraid that they would be liable for damages if a child were hurt. The authorities at the school must inform their insurance company of the issue and are afraid that the building may be closed because it is unsafe. There is no doubt that this is an emergency funding situation, particularly when one considers that it would cost €150,000 plus fees to repair the roof.

I hope the Minister will be able to provide reasonably good news in respect of this matter. The provision of a small amount of money to repair the roof at the school could prevent someone being hurt. I visited the school on several occasions. It is an old school and does great work in the heart of Clonmel. I urge the Minister to ensure that it is catered for by the provision of a small amount of capital funding.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter because it gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to outline to the House the Department's position regarding the allocation of funding for Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel, County Tipperary.

The main purpose of the emergency works 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. This process will elicit specific relevant information to enable a verifiable, speedy and equitable process. Primary and post-primary schools requiring emergency works to be undertaken in the current year must apply under this scheme. The purpose of the scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies. It is not intended that it be used to supplement previous applications under other schemes that have not been successful in securing funding in the current year. 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.

Under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, almost €4.5 billion has been allocated to the school building and modernisation programme. The Department of Education and Science has an allocation of €586 million this year — and a similar figure next year — for the school building programme. The emergency works grant scheme is one of a number of component elements or sub-programmes of the capital allocation. The other elements include large-scale building projects — new school buildings and major extensions-refurbishments; site acquisitions; remediation programmes — asbestos removal, radon mitigation; furniture and equipment; and provision of temporary accommodation etc. It is also the intention of the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to introduce a summer works scheme in 2009.

In light of the large number of projects seeking funding under this scheme and the competing demands on the budget allocated, it was not possible to provide funding for all applications received. In general, it is open to the unsuccessful applicants to reapply for funding for these works in 2009.

The Management Authority of Ardscoil na mBráithre applied for funding under the emergency works scheme last August to carry out works to the roof of the old high school building. Unfortunately, it was not possible to fund the project at that time. The management authority has submitted a further appeal in the matter and this is under consideration. The school will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

I again thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the current position in respect of the school to the House.