Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2006
473 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for refusal of a grant under the summer works scheme 2005 to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8166/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe summer works scheme was introduced in 2004 to provide capital grants for small scale improvement works to schools. A large number of applications were received and assessed during the first year of this scheme. In the intervening years the scheme has been modified and revised and it is now more specific in terms of the onus resting with the school authority to ensure that the consultant is both competent and qualified to carry out the work required and to ensure that the appropriate level and range of service is procured.
The Deputy will be pleased to note that the school he refers to has been successful in its application under the 2006 summer works scheme for funding towards the replacement of windows.
474 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) will be progressed in the 2006 building programme as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8167/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed refurbishment and extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Following a site visit to the school by officials from my Department in October 2005, a letter issued to the VEC in November 2005 with copies of the revised schedules. This was with the intention that the VEC request its design team to amend the stage 1 — site suitability and various design options — to reflect the impact of the revised schedules on the design options as presented in the original stage 1 dated June 2001.
A response to the letter of November 2005 has been received in my Department and, once examined, my officials will be in further contact with north Tipperary VEC with the next steps involved in progressing this project.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-09.
