Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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536. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when national schools and special schools will receive the 2025 minor works grant; if there will be an increase in the amount payable to offset current inflationary pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29343/25]

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 2026 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.

Since 2020, €310 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants, have been allocated to schools. This includes the payment of Minor Works Grants totalling almost €30 million for the school year 2025/2026 which has issued this week

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.

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 including Minor Works and ICT Grants for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities.