Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the budget and timescales for the roll-out of the summer works scheme 2018. We have spent in the region of €80 million on the summer works scheme in the past few years, and work has been done on almost 700 schools. It has been a very successful scheme. It is run by the Department and involves small and medium-sized works being done by the school in the summer when the school is closed. It has been very helpful for schools which need minor or, indeed, major upgrades, whether this is wiring, plumbing or issues regarding moving walls, playgrounds, etc. I acknowledge the significant work done by the Department and congratulate the Minister on the way he has dealt with priorities, with Nos. 1 to 6 on the list having been completed, while 7 to 10 have not been dealt with.

Is the Minister proposing a new summer works scheme for this year? New applicants could be incorporated within priorities Nos. 1 to 6. What is the timescale? We are two months away from schools rising and builders are becoming hard to get as there is a shortage of plumbers, electricians and masons at the moment. Builders and tradesmen have traditionally looked on the scheme as something they can bank on for the summer months but are now so busy that their availability may become an issue, something school principals also worry about.

Is the Minister proposing to move onto priorities Nos. 7 to 10? Will he take new priorities 1 to 6? When will this be announced and what is the proposed budget?

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The summer works scheme is designed to allow schools to carry out small and medium-scale building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings. This has given flexibility to schools and has been very worthwhile. This scheme is additional to other capital funding schemes that are operated by the Department, such as the additional accommodation scheme and the emergency works scheme for projects of such urgency that they would prevent some or all of the school from opening, and minor works schemes.

The summer works scheme is a multi-annual scheme. The Senator will be aware that over 1,650 schools, nearly 50% of schools, applied for inclusion under the current round of the scheme which reflects a very high demand. To date, almost €80 million has been approved under the current round of the scheme, in respect of 635 school projects, 464 primary and 171 post-primary schools, for gas, electrical upgrades, mechanical, sanitation and roof improvement works.Details of the successful school applicants are published on the Department’s website. The Senator is seeking clarity on the position for 2018. The position is that over €25 million will be spent on summer works projects in 2018. This expenditure will enable the remaining approved improvement works for the 178 schools nationwide to be completed. These works will be carried out by the schools themselves on a devolved basis mainly over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other school staff will be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the Department intends to engage with the relevant education partners on giving schools a better lead-in period for planning and delivering projects under the summer works scheme from 2019 onwards. While the summer works scheme is hugely successful in enabling small scale refurbishment works to be done on a devolved basis, the Department considers that the operation of the scheme could be improved by providing a better lead-in period for schools rather than in the second quarter as in previous years. This will also help ensure that works done under the summer works scheme fit better with any wider refurbishment and energy retrofit plans that may be done at schools under the increased funding provided by the national development plan. The engagement with education partners will commence shortly and will assist in developing a better timeframe for the planning and delivery of summer works for 2019 onwards.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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There is little I can add to that. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Minister for his very comprehensive response to my Commencement matter. It is very important that a €25 million budget has been announced here today. It is a very positive step and I thank the Minister.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising it. He raised the priorities 7 to 10. It is my intention that those would be reached in time. If a scheme is announced for all the categories, I would not start a new scheme until we had given priorities under all the different headings a chance to participate. We need a better planning approach. The really positive thing in the national development plan is that we are now setting aside €2.5 billion for deep refurbishment and retrofitting of schools. This will be a very significant commitment of capital for the longer term to strengthen the fibre of our schools. Perhaps it has not been remarked upon but it is a very significant part of the ten year plan.