Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1549: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of projects that were budgeted for under the emergency funding programme in his Department for school buildings in 2007 and 2008; and the budget for the funding for each year. [1670/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1550: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of projects that were dealt with under the emergency funding programme in his Department for school buildings in 2007 and 2008; the amount of funding each year came to in total; the amount that was made on average to each case; the amount of funding available for this programme in 2009; and if he will confirm the way such cases are assessed. [1671/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1549 and 1550 together.

My Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme is divided into a number of component elements or sub programmes, one of which is the Emergency Works Programme. The level of funding available to each sub programme for 2009 has not yet been finalised.

Emergency Works Grants (EWG) 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 and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Once a project is approved, funding is provided on a devolved basis and the level of grant is based on the estimated cost provided by a qualified Consultant on the application form. 70% of the cost of a project is provided to the applicant when work commences and the balance when the project is completed.

626 EWG projects were approved in 2007 and 328 in 2008. €27m was paid out in 2007 and €13m in 2008 in respect of the 2007 approvals. Just over €9.5m was paid out in 2008 in respect of the 2008 approvals and the balance will be paid this year. It should be noted that depending on the commencement and completion dates of projects the funding may be paid over two calendar years.