Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the minor works grant has been omitted from the list of grants for primary schools, in view of the fact that a large number of national school buildings are in excess of 50 years old, this fund was vital in carrying out repair works and, without it, it is proving extremely difficult for schools to budget sufficiently to cater for buildings that are in constant need of repairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41737/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I announced the 2014/2015 Minor Works Grant on 25 November. The grant, amounting to €28 million in total, will issue over the coming weeks to all primary schools with permanent recognition.

Funding under the grant will continue at existing levels with schools receiving a basic grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil on the rolls on the 30th September of the year prior to the issue of the grant which in this instance is 2013. The funds being transferred to the schools must be spent on the physical infrastructure of the school or on items of furniture and equipment for educational use including IT related equipment.

The annual calendar of grants circulated by the Central Funds Section in my Department features the grants that are issued by that Section. The Minor Works Grant will be issued by the School Building Unit.