Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant emergency funding to schools (details supplied) in Dublin 24 as a means of resolving the ongoing problem with leaky roofs at these schools and the clear danger this presents for the existing electrical system, the fact that both schools have applied in the past for the summer works scheme in 2008 and that this application should be treated as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31927/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy applied for works under the 2008 Summer Works Scheme. Since the Summer Works 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, the particular emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in developing areas, while also showing the Government's commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. Accordingly my Department has focussed on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008 and there is no Summer Works Scheme this year.

However, it is intended 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. My Department has no record of receiving an application for Emergency Funding for these works from the school referred to by the Deputy. If such an application is received, it will be assessed and the school authorities will be informed of the decision without delay.