Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 948: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action the management of primary and secondary schools should take to finance essential once off repair and maintenance works in view of the winding up of the summer works grant scheme by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1329/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Works Scheme has, since its introduction just a few years ago, transformed the standard of existing school accommodation. With over 3,700 projects now having been funded under the scheme, the Department's intention is to concentrate the investment in school buildings this year on delivering as many large projects as possible.

While there will be a focus on providing extra places in developing areas, the Department will also be delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. The emphasis, however, will be on new schools, extensions and major refurbishments, rather than on smaller projects. At primary level schools may use their devolved minor works grant to address such works. Capitation grants at post primary level are intended to cover necessary minor works.