Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the cost overrun in the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick, he will sanction additional grant aid for the school to make up the shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4434/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding in respect of the provision of facilities at the school in question was approved in August of last year. In the event of the receipt of a request for additional grant aid for the project from the school authority, this will be assessed. However, it should be noted that a central tenet of the grant scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, adherence to statutory regulations, control of costs and ensuring value for money. The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fundraising needs but for the school to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the funding available. The decision on whether to continue participating in scheme or to drop out, if the scope of building is more than the funding envelope permits, is a matter for each school authority.