Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Insurance.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

51 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some insurers have warned schools that they may be forced to withdraw cover because of seriously inadequate conditions; the steps he intends to take to provide emergency accommodation for schools should insurers withdraw cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am aware that, in the context of renewing insurance policies for schools, some individual schools have been requested by their insurers to carry out improvement works.

Where such demands have been made of primary schools, the managerial authorities of the schools in question may use funding provided by my Department under the grant scheme of minor works. This grant of €3,809 per school plus €12.70 per pupil empowers schools to deal directly with improvement works without recourse to my Department. Where the nature of the works required to be undertaken are more substantial, it is open to the managerial authorities to apply to my Department for funding for such works. In the case of post-primary schools, specific provision has been made in the recently published 2003 school building programme to address difficulties identified by insurers in a number of schools.