Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2008
218 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the poor condition of the science laboratories of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if he will provide funds to refurbish the school’s science labs; the position regarding the plans to provide a new or comprehensively refurbished school building for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy has an application with the Department for major capital grant aid.
The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building works. Progress on the project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Since 2004 the school has received significant funding under the Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme for refurbishment works on areas such as roofs, drainage, windows and toilets. The school was also awarded a grant of €340,000 under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme for the provision of permanent classrooms.
The authorities of the school applied for funding under the 2008 Summer Works Scheme to renovate/upgrade the science and home economics facilities in the school at an estimated cost in excess of €1.6m. Since the Scheme was introduced in 2004, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, my Department is focusing on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. Accordingly, there is no Summer Works Scheme for 2008. However, it is intended to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009 and projects involving the upgrade of science laboratories will be considered for funding under the scheme in 2009.
