Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide clarification on a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21256/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The main grant funding mechanisms for undertaking works of the nature referred to by the Deputy are the Annual Minor Works Grant or the Summer Works Scheme.   The Minor Works Grant last issued to primary schools in December 2020 and provides flexibility for schools to manage and prioritise necessary small-scale works.

The Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for undertaking medium to larger-scale improvement works in school buildings including in relation to improvements to lighting.  This Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis and is not currently open for new applications pending existing applications being addressed.     

As part of Climate Action initiatives, my Department will be rolling out a national Deep Energy Retrofit programme from 2023 onwards and this will provide opportunities for energy efficiency and decarbonisation improvements in schools.  The approach for rollout of this will be determined after the review of the National Development Plan is finalised and the Government's Climate Action Plan is published.