Last year, more than 25% of all primary schools applied for the scheme before it was cancelled by the then Minister for Education Mary Hanafin. The current Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe promised, however, to reinstate the scheme for the 2008-09 school year, and to ensure that schools which applied for support last year would be prioritised. But now the Department's deafening silence on the matter is causing concern.

"Schools are usually asked to apply for the Summer Works Scheme by the end of September," said Fine Gael spokesperson on education Brian Hayes.

“However, no application forms for the coming year have so far been made available from the Department. Does this mean Minister O'Keefe does not intend to proceed with the scheme?

“With the deadline only a fortnight away and the Minister and his Department maintaining silence on the issue, it looks increasingly likely that the Summer Works Scheme is victim of yet another Government cutback," Mr Hayes said.

The scheme has funded over 3,000 projects since 2004 and many schools depend on it for much needed infrastructural repairs. (Source: Fine Gael Press Office)