Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post primary schools from north Tipperary that applied for the summer works scheme before his Department decided to abolish it; the names of all the schools in this category; the works they applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/08]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to reinstate the summer works scheme; the timeframe for doing so; if schools that have applied previously will have to reapply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Works Scheme has, since its introduction just a few years ago, transformed the standard of existing school accommodation. With over 3,000 projects now having been funded under the scheme, my Department concentrated the investment in school buildings this year on delivering as many large projects as possible.

While there was a focus on providing extra places in developing areas, the Department also delivered improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. The emphasis, however, was on new schools, extensions and major refurbishments, rather than on smaller projects. At primary level, schools were free to use their devolved minor works grant to address such works.

In the circumstances, there was no Summer Works Scheme as part of the Department's building programme in 2008. This being the case, details in relation to the type of project and the estimated cost have not been collated by the Department. I would also advise the Deputy that it is my intention to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009.

The Professional and Technical Reports provided by schools for 2008 can be used again for future projects so that schools will not be at the loss of expenditure on them.