Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2011
160 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received an application for a summer grant scheme in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; when will the application be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/11]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme.
Unfortunately, due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme, it was not possible to grant aid all applications. As outlined in the Circular governing the operation of the scheme, applications for works in the higher categories were prioritised and it was not possible to include the school referred to by the Deputy in the list of 453 successful schools that were announced on Wednesday the 30th of March. A letter to this effect will be issuing to the school authority shortly.
161 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received an application for minor repair works scheme in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; when the application will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6761/11]
View answerAn application for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme was received in March of this year from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application related to the replacement of roof slates. This school previously received funding for roof works.
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 requested by the school in question is outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme, the school has been informed that it cannot be considered for emergency funding. The school authority was also advised to raise the issue with the Consultant engaged on the original project.
