Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Cannon, to the House.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Cannon, for coming to the House to take this Adjournment matter.

I received representations from the principal of the school in Dundalk last February regarding security issues and ongoing anti-social behaviour on school grounds. The school applied for summer works funding and was unsuccessful in both funding rounds. I appreciate that schools with the most need and the most pressing issues were allocated funding.

Many primary and post-primary schools from County Louth were successful, which I welcome. This school, however, has major problems. It asked for external security lighting and CCTV installation. The consulting engineer for the application advised that it be listed under category three electrical works but the Department advised the school that its application would in fact be listed under category ten for consideration. Those of us who represented schools in applying for summer funding works were consistently told that in the first round it was category one or category two but if one was in category ten the chances of getting any of this funding were slim. I am not aware of any who got it.

The school has been plagued with break-ins and anti-social behaviour over the past year. It has lost over €60,000 in stolen or damaged equipment. The principal has been routinely called to the school outside school hours to deal with the ongoing anti-social behaviour. It is fortunate to have such a good principal who goes there straightaway when he gets the call and is frequently on-site after school hours.

The insurer for the school site insists that further measures be taken to improve the security and lighting on the campus but the school is in negotiations with the insurance company to pay for the damaged and stolen goods. In February the principal had to make an executive decision to reorder and replace equipment at a cost of over €40,000 to the school so that the students would not lose out due to the action of others. It is a Catch-22 situation because the insurance company says the school needs to put in more money or security equipment but it cannot get the equipment.

The Government had a fantastic idea to replace prefabs with buildings in schools. As a teacher I could see how much money was being wasted on renting prefabs. If we invest in our schools and put money into situations like this we will save money in the long run. Many classes were left without equipment that they needed for courses for many days. This is an emergency because if equipment is stolen one cannot run the class and should be entitled to emergency funding. Special iMac computers were stolen and the pre-leaving certificate students need that hard disc on the machines for assessment for their final year exams. This is a very serious matter. The students are suffering.

The school is known for being very innovative and offering a very high standard of education. I was delighted that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, accepted my invitation to visit the school during the year because I was so impressed by the school's activities. He was equally impressed. It relies on a range of equipment to cater for a range of courses. The school is working very closely with the gardaí in the area but they also insist that security works be carried out. I appreciate that resources are limited but the school has engaged proactively on this and does need further assistance as a matter of urgency.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to the application made by O'Fiaich College for funding under the summer works scheme 2014 to address security measures at the school.

Last March, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, announced that 386 schools would receive funding to the tune of almost €36 million to undertake gas, electrical and mechanical works under the summer works scheme 2014. In a further announcement on 2 May, the Minister announced a second round of approvals under the summer works scheme 2014. Almost €35 million is being provided by the Department under this second round of funding to a further 386 schools and this aims to upgrade toilets and roofs in primary and secondary schools nationwide. The Department has now approved the spending of more than €70 million on the summer works scheme to allow over 770 schools undertake vital improvement works during the summer months when pupils are on holidays, in order to minimise any disruption to the schooling. These improvement works represent applications submitted for 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, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications, including the application from O'Fiaich College. However, in accordance with the scheme's circular, the school's application will be retained and will be prioritised for consideration under further rounds of the summer works scheme in the future, subject to 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 Senator will be aware that my Department has provided significant grant aid to the school in recent years which has facilitated considerable improvement works. The projects undertaken include refurbishment works, roof works and improvements to the heating system, installation of an elevator, fencing, windows, external doors, electrical and toilet upgrade, mechanical works and energy upgrade. A total of €4.8 million was provided for these works.

I wish to thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position regarding the summer works scheme application submitted by O'Fiaich College.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I will be brief and I do not mean to be flippant but there is no point in having state-of-the-art toilets if the school does not have equipment and classrooms are bare. I am very familiar with this school and I ask that something be initiated on this, perhaps as emergency works. I have encouraged the principal to apply for emergency works because with equipment having been stolen, students may be unable to complete exams. I appreciate the work and money that has been dedicated to the school but security is a huge issue and must be addressed urgently.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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My understanding, from replying to a number of parliamentary questions on the summer works programme, is that schools that did not make it through the scrutiny process will be prioritised next time. I suspect that if a new summer works scheme applies in 2015, the school's application will be retained on file so it will be at the top of the queue, along with those other schools that were unsuccessful on this occasion. I hope the college will be facilitated.

The school could apply under the emergency works scheme but I stress that the criteria are strict - for example, a school must be unable to function without the emergency works for which an application is made. It is difficult to see how the school in question could succeed in such an application but there is no harm in trying.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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If the equipment is not in the classroom, the school cannot operate.