Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will implement the summer works scheme; and when schools can make an application under this scheme. [43591/08]

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.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 470: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43605/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant of €13,000 to enhance its outdoor play facilities under the Dormant Accounts / RAPID Leverage Fund Small Scale Capital Grant Scheme for Disadvantaged Schools. The school was proposing to develop a playground and all weather pitch at a cost in excess of €500,000.

One of the terms and conditions of the scheme is that proposed projects must be carried out within the confines of the school's vested site. During the assessment process, the Department was advised by the school that the proposed project was to be developed on parish lands, which were not part of the school site.

On 12 July 2007, the Department wrote to the principal and the chairperson of the board of management of the school to advise them that their application for funding had not been recommended for approval on the basis that the location for the proposed development was not part of the school's vested site.