John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is funding available to schools for school gardens development, play spaces within school development and adventure trails within schools grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9922/19]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are grants or funding available to schools that have land adjacent to their priorities for the development of children play spaces for the pupils such as activity trails and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9919/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 81 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is designed to allow schools, on a devolved funding basis, to carry out necessary improvement and refurbishment works that will upgrade existing school facilities including play areas.

It is open to school authorities to apply under the next Summer Works Scheme which will open for applications in 2019 for projects to be delivered from summer 2020. It is important to note that schools may only apply for funding if the proposed works are within the vested school site.

In the meantime, it is open to all primary schools to use their Minor Works Grant to undertake works to their play areas etc. should they consider the works to be a priority.