Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to address the minor works grants scheme announced yesterday by the Minister. I have a Commencement matter due for discussion tomorrow, during which I had proposed to ask the Minister to explain the delay in this scheme but as I said it was announced yesterday. I am, however, unhappy with the timescale for grant provision. Some 44 schools will receive this grant next week, two weeks before Christmas. I believe this grant should be put on a statutory footing and provided annually. The flat rate grant is €5,550 increasing to €11,500, depending on the size of a school. This scheme is crucial and I welcome the announcement in this regard yesterday. However, I have been contacted by several schools that are urgently awaiting the grant in order that vital repair works can be undertaken. As I said, this is a crucial grant scheme for primary schools. During discussion on my Commencement matter tomorrow I will raise with the Minister the need for provision of this grant annually.