Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Refurbishment

9:00 pm

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on an application under the emergency works scheme in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10310/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for roof works has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy.

The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. 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.

As the scope of works for this project is outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme it cannot be considered for emergency funding. The school has been informed of the decision.

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on an application under the emergency works scheme in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10311/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for roof works has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy.

The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. 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.

As the scope of works for this project is outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme it cannot be considered for emergency funding. The school has been informed of the decision.

In light of further funding being made available under the Jobs Initiative, projects submitted under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme by primary and post primary schools will be considered further. My Department will be writing to schools that will be included in this latest round of funding in the near future.

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) was not awarded a summer works grant when other schools in the area were; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10325/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy applied 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 in question 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.

In light of further funding being made available under the Jobs Initiative, projects submitted under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme by primary and post primary schools will be considered further. My Department will be writing to schools that will be included in this latest round of funding in the near future.

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