Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am told it is the changes in the FSSU grant schedule that are causing significant issues for schools. The Covid cleaning support grant was paid in September 2022, followed by the once-off cost-of-living grant in December 2022. That was entirety of moneys received from the Department in term 1, which resulted in some schools running at a deficit. The initial grant schedule stated the minor works and ICT grants would be paid in December, but the Minister said the minor works grant was paid in April. The ICT grant now seems to be pushed into the next school year at some arbitrary date that has yet to be confirmed. I am also told the grant schedule again changed at Christmas and the ICT grant on that schedule will be paid in April. The minor works grant disappeared entirely. The grant schedule then changed again in May, when the ICT grant was removed, and disappeared from the website in June.

Will the Minister provide some clarity? Will the enhanced Covid cleaning grant that was not actually included in the calendar but paid in the first two terms be paid for in term 3? When will the money for the reimbursement of school secretaries be paid to schools and will the Minister provide a definitive date for that? Will the Minister please ensure that, from here on out, an unchanging and accurate calendar will be provided to schools so they can actually budget?

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