Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the minor works funding provided for each county in each school year 2020-21 to 2023-24, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17065/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.5 billion to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day. The Minor Works Grant is one important element of this record level of capital investment in school infrastructure.

My department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. This funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school. Under Project Ireland 2040, a commitment has been given that the Minor Works Grant will be paid in either December or January of the school year to all primary schools, including special schools.

In recent years my department’s approach has been to pay the Minor Works Grant to primary schools in advance of the start of the following school year in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.

The Minor Works Grant for the current school year 2023/2024 was paid in April 2023. I recently announced that a Minor Works Grant of €29 million for the 2024/2025 school year would issue to all primary schools, including special schools, in the coming weeks.

Between 2020 and 2023, circa €250m million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools.

Under the Minor Works Grant scheme, funding is made available to all primary schools on the basis of a €5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil enrolled in the school on the 30th of September of the year prior to the issue of the grant.

All schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their needs.

The works that can be undertaken under the minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.

Minor Works Grant by County

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the summer works funding provided for each county in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17066/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The below table sets out the funding provided under the Summer Works Scheme divided into a per county breakdown for the years 2020 through 2023 as per the Deputy's request:

Total funding provided under the Summer Works Scheme for each county in 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023