Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Davitt for raising this issue. The summer works scheme is one that was completely suspended at the height of the downturn following the crash. It was reintroduced in 2014 to 2015 and it is to be provided in the 2016 to 2017 school year. It generally runs in two-year cycles. The scheme for 2016 to 2017 is again in a two-year cycle. The first phase of it for 2016 dealt with the first two categories, namely, gasworks and electrical works, and the next phase will go down through the remaining categories.

The position in regard to St. Patrick's national school, Edmonton, is that it has applied for summer works. As Senator Davitt outlined, it is a co-ed school with 77 pupils. The school applied for the scheme to upgrade toilet facilities. Under the classification for the summer works scheme, toilets come under category 5. The assessment of applications for the summer works categories is now being undertaken by the Department. I expect to be in a position to announce a further round of successful applications in the near future. I should point out that nearly half of all schools in the country have applied for the scheme and as Senator Davitt can imagine, given the interruption of the scheme for a couple of years, there is a backlog of demand. The Department must apply prioritisation criteria to ensure the most urgent cases are addressed. The 2017 scheme is a continuation of last year's scheme and if we are in a position I hope we will announce a further scheme for 2018 and 2019. That is the current status of the scheme. The work is ongoing and decisions will be made shortly.