Written answers

Tuesday, 9 December 2008

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Expenditure

10:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a builder (details supplied) employed by his Department has not been paid in accordance with the legally binding contract; the further reason funds from the Dormant Accounts Board have not been made available to pay this invoice; the number of other projects in schools which are waiting to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44731/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In June 2008, the school to which the Deputy refers was approved for a grant of €33,603 under the parent room measure of the Dormant Accounts/ RAPID Leverage Fund Scheme for Disadvantaged Schools. The contractor referred to by the Deputy was contracted by the board of management of the school to refurbish an existing room in the school for use as a parent room.

Under the scheme, where a school is in or serving a RAPID area, as in the case of the school in question, 50% of the grant comes from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The balance of 50% comes from the RAPID Leverage Fund which is provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The school submitted a claim to draw down the funds and the 50% Dormant Accounts funding was paid. The balance in respect of the RAPID Leverage fund will be paid shortly.

Grant aid claim forms are received by the Department on an on-going basis, as projects commence and are completed. At present, there are 44 claim forms being processed. The majority of these claims will be paid before the end of December and the balance in early January.

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