Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to put the minor works funding on a statutory footing in order that it will be a guaranteed payment to schools each year in view of the fact that schools rely heavily on the minor works grant as part of their operational capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53322/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There are significant demands placed on the education capital budget annually due to demographic pressures, and the imperative of ensuring a school place for every child.

This year we will deliver nearly 19,000 permanent school places in state of the art facilities around the country.  This compares to 8,900 permanent school places provided in 2010.

As part of our longer term infrastructural planning, my Department will explore whether it will be possible to give greater certainty to primary schools in relation to the payment of the Minor Works Grant taking account of the Government's 10 Year Public Capital Investment Plan, which is currently under development.