Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore the minor works grant in the forthcoming budget in view of the costs of routine repairs schools must carry out and the pressure the abolition of the minor works grant has placed on school finances. [27960/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As I outlined previously the focus in the education sector is on meeting the demand for additional school places. Consequently, there is no funding provided at this time in the 2014 capital allocation for the payment of a Minor Works Grant to primary schools. I would point out that the Minor Works Grant was issued last November to all primary schools with full recognition in respect of the 2013/2014 school year. Furthermore, since 1997 the Minor Works Grant has been issued in each school year with the exception of the 2012/2013 school year.