Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the emergency works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11034/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to ensure the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are most in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation or on receipt of an enrolment application from a special needs pupil.

An emergency is 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.

Primary and post-primary schools requiring emergency works to be undertaken can apply under this scheme by completing in full the Emergency Works Application Form.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy on the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11035/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November last, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 - over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary - and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary.

In view of the very real need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. In the context, therefore, of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme this year.