Mary Moran (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for facilitating this Adjournment debate.

I had received representations from the school in question in County Louth before the second round of summer works scheme funding was announced. While I welcome the announcement of the funding, particularly for schools in County Louth that have received it, I am disappointed that schools as far down as category 10 that did not receive any. I am particularly disappointed for the school in question which did not receive funding to repair the playground surface and facilities. It is appropriate and timely to discuss the issue as we promote Active School Week. Appropriate and safe playground facilities are vitally important in promoting overall wellness and healthy living. Children need to be able to play and run around during the school day. We encourage this and are trying to reduce childhood obesity by encouraging exercise.

I have seen the state of the play area. There are three playgrounds in the school which sought funding for one of them. When I visited the school in the company of the principal, within three minutes of standing outside a child had fallen badly. The school was built in 1956 and the playground still has the original surface. I understand the economic difficulties and that the most important health and safety concerns must be addressed first in this round of funding. I also understand the perspective of school principals as it takes considerable time and expense to put together the lengthy applications for funding. I appreciate how frustrating it can be to find out later that there was not enough money to cover a particular category and that applications were not being considered. The school applied for emergency works funding in the past but to no avail and the state of the playground continues to deteriorate. All parties involved have acknowledged it must be improved. From speaking to the principal, I know that the Department's engineers have been to the school and agree that it needs to be repaired immediately or replaced. I ask the Minister of State to examine this, particularly during Active School Week. The school was not fortunate in the second round, but perhaps the Minister of State might suggest other funds for which the school might apply.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position on Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire's application for funding under the summer works scheme 2014 to undertake works to its outdoor facilities and playground area. Last March the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, announced that 386 schools would receive funding to the tune of almost €36 million to undertake gas, electrical and mechanical works under the scheme. In a further announcement on Friday, 2 May, he announced a second round of approvals under the scheme. Almost €35 million is being provided by the Department in the second round of funding for a further 386 schools which aims to upgrade toilets and roofs in primary and secondary schools nationwide.

The Department has approved the spending of more than €70 million in total under the summer works scheme to allow 772 schools to undertake vital improvement works during the summer months when pupils are on holidays in order to minimise any disruption to schooling. These improvement works represent applications submitted in categories 1 to 6 in order of priority. Commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the scheme, applications were assessed on a top-down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the circular accompanying the scheme. Unfortunately, owing to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant-aid all applications, including the application from Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire. However, in accordance with the scheme's circular, the school's application will be retained and prioritised for consideration in further rounds of the scheme in the future, subject to the availability of funding.

Despite the difficult economic environment, we are continuing to prioritise investment in school buildings which will enhance the learning and working environment for pupils and teachers. The school has received significant funding of €661,890 in the past eight years under previous summer works schemes and contingency grant schemes for various refurbishment projects, including toilet, mechanical and electrical upgrades, as well as for floor covering replacement.

I also wish to advise the Senator that the school received a minor works grant of more than €9,800 in November 2013. It is open to the school to prioritise the works it wishes to undertake within the scope of the scheme. Works to the school's outdoor area would fall to be considered under the terms of the minor works grant scheme.

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position regarding the application for upgrade of the play area at Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire, Ardee.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am grateful that the application will be retained and prioritised for consideration under further rounds of the summer works scheme. It is important at times such as this when schools are vying for pupils and, perhaps, competing with brand new schools in similar areas that older schools are maintained to the highest possible level.