Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to the announcement on 28 March 2008, the 20 DEIS schools in Limerick that have been offered funding to stay open after hours, at weekends and during holidays; the way these schools were identified; the amount of money offered to each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18047/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the four funding measures that have been approved for support under the 2008 Dormant Account Fund Educational Disadvantage Programme is a scheme to enable up to 22 DEIS Urban Band 1 Schools in Limerick City to open after school hours. A total of €1.7m has been allocated to the scheme.

This scheme had been developed as part of my Department's response to the education-related recommendations contained in John Fitzgerald's report, 'Addressing issues of Social Exclusion in Moyross and other disadvantaged areas of Limerick City: Report to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion', which were accepted fully by the Government.

The scheme aims to support up to 22 DEIS Band 1 schools in Limerick City to enable them to make their school premises and facilities available to children and the wider community after school hours, at the weekend and during school holidays. The names of the schools are included in the lists following. The intention is that the school premises would be available for a wide range of activities, including homework clubs, drama, art and craft, adult literacy and sports.

Eligible schools will be able to apply for a once–off capital grant of up to €25,000 to cover the additional cost incurred to make the premises suitable for use out of school hours. The schools can also apply for a grant of up to €26,000 per annum for a period of two years to cover additional operating costs.

Preparatory works to roll out this scheme are at an advanced stage and my Department hopes to be in a position to invite the eligible schools to apply for the funding before the end of this month.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to the announcement on 28 March 2008, the number of DEIS schools that have been contacted by his Department in respect of the provision of assistance to achieve digital school status; the way these schools were chosen; the proposed financial assistance which will enable those schools to upgrade information and communication technology equipment and purchase new computers, laptops, printers, digital cameras or enhance their network capacity; if financial assistance has been provided to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18048/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the announcement of 28th March last indicated that details of the schemes under the Dormant Accounts Fund and Rapid Leverage Fund would be announced at a future date. In relation to the Fund to assist up to 100 DEIS schools achieve Digital School Status, my officials are finalising the scheme arrangements with the National Centre for Technology in Education and I expect to make an announcement in relation to the Fund in the near future.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to the announcement on 28 March 2008, the number of the 130 DEIS schools that have been contacted to date in relation to the proposed library enhancement programme; the way these schools were selected; the amount of funding each school has received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18049/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Among the priority funding measures approved for support in 2006/2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Account Fund and the RAPID Leverage Fund was a scheme addressing educational infrastructure in disadvantaged schools. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to primary and post primary schools participating in my Department's DEIS programme, schools in, or serving, RAPID areas and special schools.

The scheme consists of four measures and a number of sub-measures. The four measures are: Outdoor Play Facilities, Libraries, Parent Rooms and Dining Areas. Schools were allowed to submit prioritised proposals under each of the measures. Due to the volume of applications received, the assessment process has had to be carried out on a phased basis. Under previous funding rounds, 447 outdoor play facilities and 146 library enhancement projects have been approved for a total of €11.26 million in grant aid.

€20.5 million has been made available to fund the scheme under the 2006 and 2007 Dormant Accounts Programmes. In March, 2008, the Government announced that a further €4 million of funding, consisting of €2 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund and €2 million from the RAPID Leverage Fund, would be made available to fund a further tranche of library enhancement projects that could not be included in the first tranche due to insufficient funding being available.

Further library enhancement proposals have now been assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Dormant Accounts Board Disbursement Plan 2006-2009 and the applications rated as meriting funding have been determined. The general criteria applied to the assessment of such proposals are:

1. Evidence of need

2. Evidence of capacity

3. Consistency with Government policy programme and objectives

4. Evidence of additionality

5. Strength of proposal

6. Consideration of sustainability

In accordance with Dormant Accounts legislation, Government approval for funding the recommended projects will be sought by my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the near future. Following approval, my Department will write to the schools concerned to advise them of the outcome of their applications.