Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the essential roof and other major repairs to a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; her views on whether it is acceptable that pupils and teachers should have to work in such unacceptable conditions where pupils do not even have hot water and showers available after their time in the gym; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12261/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received from the school to which he refers for Emergency Works. The application is currently being considered and the school will be advised of the outcome shortly.

This school have also made an application for large scale capital funding. This application is in the early stages of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money that was provided for the devolved building scheme in each of the past five years; the number of schools that benefited in each of those five years; the amount of funding provided in the budget for that scheme in 2008; her views on whether it was a very cost effective scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12262/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The two Devolved Schemes, the Small Schools Scheme and the Permanent Accommodation Scheme, were originally introduced on a pilot basis for 38 schools in 2003 and due to the positive feedback from schools were extended to cover 699 more schools between the years of 2004 and 2007.

The purpose of these devolved schemes is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake building works which will address the school's long term accommodation needs. Under the terms of the Schemes, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department. Devolving funding to school management authorities allows them to have control of their projects, assists in moving projects more quickly to tender and construction and can also deliver better value for money.

A table shows the amount of money provided in each of the past five years and the number of schools which have benefited in each of those years.The feedback from schools has in general been positive and the number of schools participating has increased year on year.