Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that the minor works grant scheme is maintained on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1636/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Since 1997 the Minor Works Grant has issued in each school year with the exception of the 2012/2013 school year. 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. For the 2002/2003 school year, part of the grant was paid in May 2003, with the balance in October 2003.  

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.