Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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My query is a simple one that relates to Edmonton school outside Killucan. I am sure the Minister is aware of the situation regarding it. The school sought upgrading works for toilet facilities last year under the summer works scheme but was unsuccessful. The school has again sought a grant for this year. I have been in the school with the local Deputy Robert Troy and, to say the least, the facilities are exceptionally poor. I would be surprised if the school would pass a health and safety review. The facilities at the school must be upgraded with the utmost urgency. I implore the Minister to look at them himself.

The upgrade works that are required have been costed at €40,000, which is not a large amount. I am sure the Minister will fund a summer works scheme this summer. I am pleased he is in the House and that I can make him aware of the conditions in the school. It is not an exaggeration to say the amenities are exceptionally poor. In addition to the substandard conditions for the pupils the teachers must also endure the existing facilities, which are just not good enough. I would very much appreciate if the Minister could give a firm commitment on Edmonton school.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that the Minister has come to the House today and the response he has given. We have made him aware of the position. I do not say it for the sake of saying it but because I have been in the school with the local Deputies and if the Minister were there on the ground himself he would consider making this an urgent case. I thank him for coming here today.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator. I will alert officials to the case Senator Davitt has made but I think the school itself has made a very strong case in its submission. Unfortunately, given the nearly 1,700 applications from schools around the country it is a challenge to allocate the resources in a fair way that meets as many of the needs as possible.