Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the additional sum of €150,000 for a school (details supplied) in County Clare in order for the school's development of an extension consisting of two classrooms to proceed in accordance with obligations placed by the local authority, namely Clare County Council, for the relocation of the original waste water treatment plant and extra car parking spaces as both elements were not included in the school's original application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25485/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme 2007, a grant of €380,000 was sanctioned for the school in question to enable the Board of Management to extend and refurbish their school.

The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fund-raising needs. Rather the terms of the Scheme require the schools to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding. The decision on whether to continue participating in the scheme or to drop out, if the scope of build is more than the funding envelope permits, is a matter for each school authority. A central tenet of the devolved scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, adherence to statutory regulations, as well as control of costs and ensuring value for money.

A request for significant additional funding has been received in my Department and is under consideration. A decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.