John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 400: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Sligo under the Dormant Account Fund in view the fact that the application was made some considerable time ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29263/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Among the priority funding measures approved for support in 2006/2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Account Fund and the RAPID Leverage Fund, was a scheme addressing educational infrastructure in disadvantaged schools. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to primary and post primary schools participating in my Department's DEIS programme; schools in, or serving, RAPID areas; and special schools.

The scheme consists of four measures and a number of sub-measures. The four measures are: (1) Outdoor Play Facilities; (2) Libraries; (3) Parent Rooms; and (4) Dining Areas. Eligible schools were allowed to submit prioritised proposals under each of the measures.

A total of €20.5m has been made available to fund the scheme. The scheme was launched on 16th January 2007, with a closing date for applications of 1st March 2007. The scheme was over-subscribed with over 2,270 individual project proposals submitted for funding. The total amount of grant aid sought exceeded the funding available under the scheme.

In light of the very large number of project proposals received it was decided that the proposals should be assessed on a phased basis. Phase I involved the assessment of proposals identified by applicants as Priority 1, 2 & 3 under the Outdoor Play Facilities Measure; lower priorities were not assessed because there is insufficient funding available. On 14 June 2007 the Department wrote to all of the schools concerned to inform them of the position.

The proposal referred to by the Deputy was identified by the school as its fourth priority and as such it was not assessed because there is insufficient funding available.