Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the arrangement that will be made for the refurbishment of science laboratories in view of the fact that no summer works will be done in 2008 and that this work cannot be done during the academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding for the refurbishment of the science laboratories in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.

As part of the multi-annual school building programme, the Government has invested heavily in the modernisation of school facilities throughout the country including science facilities in post-primary schools. Provision of science facilities is an intrinsic part of many school building projects at post-primary level. Typically this investment involves the provision of modern science facilities in new post-primary schools or the upgrading of science facilities in existing schools either as part of a school building project or as a dedicated investment to facilitate the teaching of science.

Schools have also received funding under the Summer Works Schemes 2004 -2007 to refurbish science laboratories. Over 60 schools were approved for funding in 2006 and 2007 under my Department's Summer Works Scheme to enable them to get science laboratories refurbished on a devolved basis.

Additionally, the Government has funded the provision of class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the Sciences. My Department also spent in excess of €13m in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised Junior Science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified in a 1998 national survey as needing new or refurbished science laboratories received funding.

The authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy applied for funding under the 2008 Summer Works Scheme to renovate/upgrade the science and home economics facilities in the school at an estimated cost in excess of €1.6m. Since the Scheme was introduced in 2004, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, my Department is focusing on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. Accordingly, there is no Summer Works Scheme for 2008. However, it is intended to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009 and projects involving the upgrade of science laboratories will be considered for funding under the scheme in 2009.