Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to reinstate the summer works scheme for 2009; if schools that have applied previously will have to reapply; the amount of funding that will be provided for the scheme; when schools should apply for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42239/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the Summer Works Scheme was introduced, 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 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. 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.