Euro 120 Million To Improve Almost 1,000 Schools

Funding of almost €120m will see major improvements in primary and post primary schools around the country.

Almost 1,000 schools around the country will receive funding to complete 1,137 essential small scale capital projects under the 2007 Summer Works Scheme. 

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D., outlined details of the 641 primary schools and 324 post primary schools around the country that will benefit from the scheme.

Over €119.5m will be spent this summer on projects in schools such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, windows replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

Announcing details of the scheme, Minister Hanafin said "over €119.5m is being provided this summer for the essential works to be carried out. This is a significant increase of over €40m on the 2006 funding.

"The increase in numbers of schools applying and projects involved is proof that this scheme works well for all," she continued. "The projects approved have been assessed as being priority projects by the individual schools themselves.  There is also the minimum of disruption for the school community as work is carried out during the summer months."

"The funding being provided to schools allows a variety of small scale works, such as roofing repairs, electrical and mechanical works, window replacement and other vital modernisation and refurbishment work to take place.

"By this summer over 3,000 projects will have been carried out in our primary and post primary schools across the country at a cost of €299m. The works taking place are of enormous benefit to the whole school community."