Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve projects under the summer works scheme; if so, when such approvals will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/18]
View answer240. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if applications under the summer works scheme in the categories 7 to 10 will be considered in the next round of approvals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.
Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016 -2017 was applied on a multi-annual basis. The Deputy will be aware that nearly 50% of schools applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand.
Almost €80 million has been approved to date under the SWS, in respect of over 640 school projects in categories 1 - 6. Details of the successful school applicants are published on my Department's website www.education.ie.
As the Deputy will be aware, Project Ireland 2040 included an announcement of a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. This investment will provide for the continued increase in demographics while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing school stock. In that context my Department is processing the remaining categories of project under SWS 2016-2017.
