Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2017
220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a grant allocation for a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24307/17]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 3 application, mechanical works, under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS)(2016-2017) from the school to which he refers.
As the Deputy will be aware funding was recently approved in respect of this application and the school has been advised of this decision through my Department’s on-line Esinet portal.
I wish to advise the Deputy that under the SWS it is a matter for the individual school to prioritise the project for which funding is being sought. The roof works referred to by the Deputy may qualify to be considered for funding under this scheme, however the school did not prioritise these works when submitting their application. I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not received a request from the school concerned in relation to the roof works. However, in this regard my Department will consider a written request from the school to substitute an alternative priority project for the project already approved.
Alternatively, it is open to the school to utilise their Minor Works Grant, i.e. €5,500 for each primary school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil or €74 per special needs pupil, which all schools received last November, to address improvement works to their buildings and site areas, in full or on a phased basis as the grant permits.
