Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1011: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason she abolished a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1814/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1013: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding in place for a scheme (details supplied) for 2008. [1816/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1011 and 1013 together.

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.

There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of the Department's building programme in 2008.

The Professional and Technical Reports provided by schools can be used again for future projects so that schools will not be at the loss of expenditure on them.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1012: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications lodged to a scheme (details supplied) for the past five years. [1815/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A breakdown of the number of schools that made applications under the Summer Works Scheme for the years 2004 to 2007 inclusive is as follows:

As there will be no Scheme as part of the Department's Building Programme for 2008, the applications received have not been counted, assessed or categorised by the Department.