Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 January 2016

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Questions (439, 444)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

439. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide funding for urgent repairs to a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3033/16]

Seamus Kirk

Question:

444. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills to reconsider an application from a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3066/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 444 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers submitted three applications under the Emergency Works Scheme in the past year. The first of these was received on 22 December, 2014 seeking funding to replace leaking pipes and carry out electrical repairs. This application was approved and the grant has been paid in full.

The second application was received on 22nd December 2014 seeking funding to replace the fire alarm system but this application was refused as it was outside the scope of works that would qualify for funding under the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme.

The third application was received on the 9 June, 2015 seeking funding to replace the roof of the school building. This application was refused as it was also outside the scope of the Emergency Works Scheme. Following an appeal by the school in November, a grant was allocated to carry out repairs to the roof and the school was advised to apply under the Summer Works Scheme for a replacement roof as this is the appropriate Scheme under which funding could be available for this type of work. It is a condition of the Summer Works Scheme that schools apply for the most urgently needed works at their school. Under the current Summer Works Scheme, the school in question applied for an electrical upgrade.

It is not intended that the Emergency Works Scheme, which is for sudden and unforeseen emergencies, will be used to supplement previous applications under other schemes that have not been successful in securing funding in the current year or to replace any other schemes provided by my Department. The current offer of funding to the school to carry out repair works to its roof is consistent with this position and the fact that the replacement of a roof is outside the scope of the Emergencies Works Scheme.