Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for giving the opportunity to outline to the House the position in relation to De La Salle College in Dundalk. The refurbishment of science laboratories as proposed by De La Salle College is appropriate to the Department of Education's summer works scheme. The summer works scheme is the funding mechanism for dealing with the more significant improvement works that are usually carried out during school holiday periods to minimise disruption to the operation of schools. The summer works scheme operates on a multi-annual basis, and at this stage it is envisaged the summer works scheme will next be opened for new applications later in 2023 for the delivery of projects on a phased basis from 2024 onwards. Schools will be notified of the details of the summer works scheme in due course and it will be open to the school to make an application at that time.