Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to re introduce the minor works grant scheme in view of the financial pressures schools are now experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30534/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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When the Minor Works Grant last issued in November 2011 for the school year 2011/2012, I stated that given the need to focus on meeting the demand for additional school places, it was unlikely that funding would be available for the Minor Works Grant in the coming years. This is borne out by the fact that in 2012, 85% of the capital expenditure in the school sector was in respect of large scale projects, additional accommodation and prefab replacement. The balance was expended on site acquisition, emergency works, furniture and equipment provision and commitments arising from earlier years.

The capital allocation that is available for the school sector in 2013 is expected to have a similar spend pattern as was the case in 2012 and at this time there are no plans to reinstate the Minor Works Grant.