Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Department recognises the importance of the minor works grant to primary schools. This funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the daily operation of the school. Under Project Ireland 2040, a commitment was given that the minor works grant would be paid in either December or January of the school year to all primary schools, including special schools.

In recent years, however, the Department’s approach has been to pay the minor works grant to primary schools in advance of the start of the following school year in order to facilitate a better lead-in period for schools over the summer period. A minor works grant of €30 million was paid in April 2023 to primary schools for the current school year. Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.

The works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT-related equipment, ventilation improvements and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.

Between 2018 and 2023, in the region of €310 million in minor works and enhanced minor works grants has been allocated to schools. In 2023, summer and emergency works grants to the tune of €80 million have been provided. This includes the additional support in the context of Covid-19 of the payment of an enhanced minor works grant totalling €45 million for primary and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17 million for post-primary schools. The enhanced minor works grant allowed schools that identified inadequate ventilation in a room to utilise their minor works grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor works grant did not cover the full cost of the works required. Currently, the minor works grant payable is a €5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil.

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