I wish to confirm to the Deputy that applications for the provision and upgrade of play areas submitted by schools are assessed under Category 10 of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the Circular accompanying the Scheme. I also wish to advise the Deputy that the SWS will be applied on a multi-annual basis for the years 2016 and 2017. The Deputy will be aware that details of the successful applicants under the SWS (2016-2017) were announced on 28 April last, details of which are published on my Department's website, www.education.ie.
€30 million of the €80 million announced for the multi-annual SWS (2016-2017) is now being allocated for vital gas works and electrical upgrades in schools. 197 primary and post primary schools were included in the first round of successful applicants.
Under SWS 2016 and 2017, valid applications from schools that are not reached for funding reasons from within the funding made available in 2016 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of funding available in 2017, subject to the overall availability of funding. This includes applications of the nature described by the Deputy. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015 which may be accessed on my Department's website, will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects.