Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve applications under the summer works scheme and the emergency works scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who are in need of a new heating system and all the costings have been forwarded to his Department. [44230/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school in question applied for funding in respect of summer works in 2008. 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 are currently being considered and will be completed as soon as possible. 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.

The school also applied for emergency funding. Emergency works grants are made available to schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. Following assessment of the application and in light of the large number of projects seeking funding from my Department for works of this nature from the budget allocated, unfortunately, it was not possible to provide funding from the emergency works grant scheme on this occasion for the works sought.