Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if provision is made in his Department's Estimate for 2018 for a minor works grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54062/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There are significant demands placed on the 2018 education capital budget due to demographic pressures, and the imperative of ensuring a school place for every child.

I indicated to the House last week that it is unlikely the Minor Works Grant 2018/2019 will issue during the 2018 calendar year and that it will probably have to be paid early in 2019.

I should point out that the payment of the Minor Works Grant is not confined to any particular date and can in fact, if paid, be issued during any month of the school year.

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.