Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to her comments in Dáil Éireann on 20 February 2008, regarding the devolved grant, when she will make a definitive statement on the status of the devolved grant for 2008; if she anticipates that schools will be invited to make applications for this grant from her Department during the course of 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8887/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the Small Schools Scheme — also known as the devolved scheme — under which schools have been offered funding to build a small number of extra permanent classrooms. As the Deputy will be aware, this Government has prioritised improvements in school buildings with unprecedented levels of investment and improved delivery mechanisms. The Small Schools Scheme did not exist at all until we introduced it in 2003. Between 2003 and 2007, nearly 400 schools were approved for funding under this scheme. As I have made clear in my speech on Budget 2008 and on many occasions since, with so many small projects completed in recent years, the focus of the school building programme this year will be primarily — but not exclusively — on larger projects. In that context, the Small Schools Scheme will not be on the same scale this year as in 2007. Decisions regarding the allocation of funding in respect of the scheme in 2008 will be taken in due course. The approximately €600 million being provided for the school building programme this year represents a 9% increase on the school's capital allocation in Budget 2007.