Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013
341. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant allocation to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 for refurbishment or additional accommodation in each of the past four years; the number of requests for funding that were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24035/13]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy received funding as follows during the past four years:
- €757,254 under my Department's Summer Works Schemes in 2007, 2009 and 2010 for window replacement projects and general upgrade to toilets;
- €17,200 in 2009 for Woodwork and Metalwork Grants;
- €32,176 in May 2010 under my Department's Energy Efficiency Scheme for wall insulation;
- €29,800 in December 2010 for Gym Equipment;
- €5,419 in August 2012 to replace equipment in the school's Home Economics Room.
In February 2013, funding was approved under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to facilitate Universal Access. The level of grant cannot be disclosed at this point as to do so could prejudice the tendering process. In December 2012, the school was refused funding under the Emergency Works Scheme for repairs to the science laboratory as the scope of works for which funding was sought was outside the terms of the scheme. 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.
The school was unsuccessful in its application for funding for curricular requirements under the 2011 Summer Works Scheme. Due to the scale of demand for funding under the scheme at that time, it was not possible to grant aid all applications. As applications for works in the higher categories were prioritised, it was not possible to include the school concerned in the list of successful applicants.
