Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position of those schools which have applied for the summer works scheme, recently discontinued by her; the number of schools in the category; the advice she would give to the schools in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35106/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.

Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to fund small projects. The value of this grant was increased by 44% last year. Payments to the tune of €27 million are to be made to schools under this scheme over the next week. This will enable schools all over the country to complete small scale works at their own discretion, without the need to interact with the Department. If schools need emergency works completed, they can also apply for support from the Department.