Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the failure of part of the 1952 heating system of a school (details supplied); if she has emergency resources to respond to this problem; when decisions on the SWS will be issued; and if she will communicate to the school. [34607/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the difficulties relating to the heating system in the school referred to by the Deputy. The school authorities recently advised the Building Unit of my Department that the heating system has broken down and requested funding for emergency repair works to be carried out. Details of the estimated cost of the repairs have now been received and the school authorities will be advised of the outcome as a matter of urgency.

The Summer Works programme has, since its introduction in 2004, transformed the standard of existing school accommodation. With around 3,000 projects now having been funded under this scheme, my intention is to focus the significant extra investment in school buildings next year on delivering as many large projects as possible. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme in 2008.

The level of investment in school buildings has never been greater with €4.5 billion to be invested in this area under the National Development Plan over its lifetime; further significant progress will be made.