Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when work will commence on the security upgrade of the building and site at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14, in view of health and safety concerns which have been acknowledged by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15843/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which she refers has applied to my Department for improved accommodation. This application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this process has been completed.

With regard to the health and safety concerns expressed, the school received a Minor Works grant of €10,846 last November. The Minor Works Grant will allow schools to carry out improvement works to school buildings and grounds and it is open to schools to prioritise the works it wishes to undertake within the terms of the scheme.

It is also open to the school authority to submit an application for Emergency Works funding should they deem that any of the works required come within the scope of the Emergency Works Scheme. The main purpose of this 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.

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. Details of the Scheme, together with an application form for grant assistance, can be accessed on my Department's website at www.education.ie.