Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding devolved grants; his views on whether it is the most cost efficient way to repair schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37949/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, my Department has adopted a policy of devolving much greater authority to local school management authorities to manage and deliver smaller building projects in their schools. This has allowed officials in my Department to concentrate on delivering larger scale projects, while also ensuring that the school authorities can use their local knowledge to manage projects efficiently. Overall, the use of such devolved schemes has resulted in cost efficient and effective delivery of minor projects in schools.

The Minor Works Grant, which increased by 44% in 2006, provides school authorities with the funds to carry out ongoing repairs and maintenance work of a minor nature on school buildings. It allows the school to prioritise how the money is spent on their schools, again using their local knowledge.

The devolved Small Schools Scheme and the Permanent Accommodation Scheme, were introduced in 2003. The purpose of the Schemes was to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake smaller scale building works such as refurbishment of existing buildings/provision of small extensions with guaranteed funding. Under the terms of the Schemes, school authorities were empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department.

Since the introduction of the Schemes, over 730 projects have been were approved for funding.

The Summer Works Scheme, which was introduced in 2003, has resulted in the completion of over 3,000 projects, costing in excess of €300 million. These projects have been managed on a devolved basis, with school authorities being responsible for the day to day management of the project on behalf of the Department.

With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, the particular emphasis in 2008 has been on providing sufficient school places in developing areas, while also delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. Accordingly my Department has focused on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008 and funding was not made available for a Summer Works Scheme this year.

However, I recognise the benefits of the scheme in addressing the needs of schools and I have previously informed the house of my intention to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009. The details of the operation of the scheme in 2009 and the level of funding to be made available under the scheme in 2009 are currently being considered.