Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve projects under the summer works scheme; if so, when such approvals will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if applications under the summer works scheme in categories 7 to 10 will be considered in the next round of approvals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016 -2017 was applied on a multi-annual basis. The Deputy will be aware that nearly 50% of schools applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand.

Almost €80 million has been approved to date under the SWS, in respect of over 640 school projects in categories 1 - 6. Details of the successful school applicants are published on my Department's website .

As the Deputy will be aware, Project Ireland 2040 included an announcement of a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. This investment will provide for the continued increase in demographics while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing school stock. In that context my Department is processing the remaining categories of project under SWS 2016-2017.