Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when urgent repairs will be carried out to the roof of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9431/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application to my Department for funding under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme. A list of 453 successful schools was announced on 30 March 2011 and I regret that the application made by the school concerned was not selected. A letter to this effect has issued to the school.

Applications from schools for gas, mechanical and electrical works were prioritised for Summer Works funding this year. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications and accordingly it has been necessary to prioritise some categories of works over others.

My Department has sought to prioritise the funds that are available towards works that are most relevant to the health and safety of staff and students alike in our schools.

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the application by a school (details supplied) in County Meath, under the emergency work scheme was unsuccessful; his views on the summer works programme 2011 and the inclusion of necessary improvements other than those within the remit of electrical and heating improvements in order that schools would have the necessary upgrades made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9432/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was advised earlier this year that its application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme was unsuccessful as the application did not qualify for funding under the terms of the Scheme.

I am pleased, however, to confirm that the school was successful in its application for funding under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme for works to the mechanical system including works to the septic tank. A letter to this effect has issued to the school. Applications from schools for gas, mechanical and electrical works were prioritised for Summer Works funding this year. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications and accordingly it has been necessary to prioritise some categories of works over others.

My Department has sought to prioritise the funds that are available towards works that are most relevant to the health and safety of staff and students alike in our schools.

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider the application made by a school (details supplied) in County Meath, under the summer works programme 2011, to have necessary improvement works made on the steps leading to the entrance of the school; his views on the health and safety responsibilities of his Department should an accident occur as a result of the application for grant under the summer works programme 2011 being unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9433/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application to my Department for funding under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme. A list of 453 successful schools was announced on 30 March 2011 and I regret that the application made by the school referred to by the Deputy was not selected. A letter to this effect has issued to the school.

Applications from schools for gas, mechanical and electrical works were prioritised for Summer Works funding this year. Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications and accordingly it has been necessary to prioritise some categories of works over others.

For works that are of a very urgent nature, it is open to the school authorities to consider if the works in question qualify for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.