Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in regard to the summer works programme in primary schools, the local contribution of five percent and the relevant capped sum in respect of schools designated disadvantaged continues to apply; if she will confirm that her Department has issued a circular advising school authorities that in respect of a further sanctioned project within five years at the same school, no further local contribution is required and if that provision continues to apply; her views on the hardship involved for schools and communities where a further local contribution is now being sought by her Department, and the reason such demands are being made notwithstanding her circular of 2005; and to exempt schools designated disadvantaged, in particular, from the contribution payment in light of the circular and the hardship involved in raising large sums locally in the most disadvantaged communities. [20115/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department is seeking a second local contribution in respect of a further summer works programme project at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22, despite the Department circular to the effect that no such second contribution would be sought within a five year timeframe; her views on the difficulties raising such money causes locally in a disadvantaged area; if she will waive the contribution in accordance with the stated terms of her circular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20116/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

In 2004 my Department initiated the Summer Works Scheme as a devolved method for carrying out refurbishment works on a phased basis in schools during the summer holiday periods. The Scheme has been extremely successful and has received very positive feedback from school management authorities. To date, almost 2,000 projects at a total cost of €184.2 million have been delivered under this scheme. Notwithstanding this success, my Department is conscious of the additional burden that the phasing of projects under the Summer Works Scheme can place on school communities. In response to this, this year's circular on the scheme states that "Schools that have projects approved under the Summer Works Scheme in more than one year will have the amount of local contribution required capped at the relevant maximum level of €31,500 (or €12,500 for special or disadvantaged primary schools) over a rolling 5 year period".

The projects approved for 2006 under the Summer Works Scheme are the first year of this rolling 5 year period. Schools that have projects approved under next year's scheme will be advised of how this will apply in the case of their own application for that year and the history of their applications.