Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1359: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the building project of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when this project will gain approval to move to the next stage of the school building programme. [1842/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works, a grant of €350,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control of the building project.

The intention of the scheme is to provide funding to schools to enable them to undertake wanted building projects. The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fund-raising needs but for the school to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding. The decision on whether to continue participating in the scheme or to drop out, if the scope of build is more than the funding envelope permits, is a matter for each school authority. The project is currently on site and 70% of the grant has been paid to the school. An appeal for additional funding by the school in question was considered by the appeals board and they are satisfied that, under the terms of the scheme, the school does not warrant additional funding. The board has been informed of the position.