Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Offaly that have made applications for assistance under the grant scheme for minor works; the position regarding these applications; when funding will be allocated to each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42289/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Laois that have made applications for assistance under the grant scheme for minor works to his Department; the position regarding these applications; when funding will be allocated to each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42290/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 549 and 550 together.

A devolved Minor Works Grant is paid to all fully recognised primary schools annually. The Minor Works Grant provides school authorities with the funds to carry out ongoing repairs and maintenance work of a minor nature on school buildings. It allows the school to prioritise how the money is spent on their schools, again using their local knowledge. The funding for the minor works grant for the 2006/7 year was increased by 44% on the previous year. Over €27m was paid out to schools throughout the country in 2007 to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with the Department. Individual primary schools received a grant in the sum of €5,500 plus €18.50 per pupil. It is intended that the Minor Works Grant for the 2008/2009 school year will be paid in 2009.