Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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507. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the scheduling of the minor works grant; the reasons for its delay this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29084/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under Project Ireland 2040, a commitment was given that the Minor Works Grant would 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 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. On 29th May, I announced that schools would receive Minor Works grants in June 2025 for the 2025/2026 school year.

My department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The Minor Works Grant is provided to all primary and special schools, to enable them undertake small-scale minor maintenance and improvement works on a devolved basis

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 particular needs.

Between 2020 and 2024 in excess of €274 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants have been allocated to schools. In addition to this the payment of Minor Works Grants totalling almost €30 million will be paid in June 2025 for the next school year 2025/2026.

Funding is made available to all primary and special 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.

As part of the NDP Review process, all departments, including my department, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026-2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important. The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from Autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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508. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the scheduling of the payment of the ICT grant; the reasons for its delay this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29085/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced €65 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works. €35 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools, while a separate €30 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.

To date, a total of €100 million of the €200 million committed for in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant. The NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year however, it is anticipated that issuing €35m in 2025, as announced, will enable the balance of €65 million remaining to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027.

As this is capital funding, it is dependent on the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.

Engagement is ongoing with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on capital funding priorities, including on the National Development Plan review process with a view to providing more clarity and certainty for schools.