John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the refusal of an application for funding under the emergency works scheme by a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the damage to the roof of the school is posing a health and safety issue to pupils and staff in view of the fact that loose slates are liable to fall on children and rainwater is leaking into internal electric wiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25111/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received an application for Emergency Funding for roof works from the school in question. Emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year.

Following assessment of the application from this school and in light of the large number of projects seeking funding from my Department for works of this nature from the budget allocated, it was not possible to provide funding under the Emergency Works Scheme on this occasion for the works sought. The school authorities should prioritise expenditure from the school's minor capital works grant in order to ascertain if this can be used to address the works in question.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the appeals procedures in place for schools that are refused funding under the emergency works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25112/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. It is incumbent on the school to provide as much detail as possible to the Department on the nature of the emergency and the need for an emergency works grant to be paid to address the emergency. All applications are assessed by my Department. In light of the number of projects seeking funding from my Department for works from the budget allocated, it is not possible to provide funding under the Scheme for all applications. It is open to unsuccessful applicants to write to the Planning and Building Unit in my Department outlining the reasons why they wish their application to be reconsidered.