Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
85. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason schools that applied for funding under categories 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the summer works scheme were not approved for funding in 2014; the reason a distinction was made in respect of categories 1 to 6; if funding will be available for categories 7 to 10 in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/14]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding set aside for the 2014 Summer Works Scheme, applications were assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the scheme. Given the level of funding available, it was not possible to grant aid all applications. At a time of limited resources, it was necessary to prioritise works in this manner. Nonetheless, in the current financial climate, grant approvals of over €70m for the 2014 Summer Works Scheme have been made to over 772 primary and post-primary schools to undertake improvement works which represents a significant investment in the existing school stock. These improvement works represent applications submitted for categories 1 to 6 in order of priority.
I wish, however, to advise the Deputy that applications for works in categories 7 to 10 will be retained for consideration should funding become available to this Scheme at a later stage.
