Over €100M School Works Announced

Some 1,480 primary and post primary schools across the country will receive small and medium scale building works this summer as part of a €122 million investment announced today by the Tánaiste.

Ms Mary Coughlan said yesterday that the "Summer Works Scheme" would cover projects in school buildings such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

The Tánaiste added the money represented a record level of investment through the Summer Works Scheme had the potential to generate work for over 4,400 trades people across the country during the summer period.

Making the announcement while on a visit to the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town, the Tánaiste said: "Despite the current fiscal constraint, the Government remains committed to significant capital investment in key areas. Education is a priority and this record level of investment in improving our schools’ infrastructure will not only improve the learning environment for thousands of students, but it will also stimulate economic activity by generating work for trades people across the country."

However, despite the cash injection another 380 schools have been turned down for funds for the essential upkeep of classes and buildings representing almost one in five of those schools who applied for the works grant.

The Joint Managerial Body (JMB), representing the boards of management of 392 second-level schools, expressed concern for schools that had spent their own money putting together grant applications, but had them turned down.

"If you are unsuccessful, you are left counting your consultant’s fee," said JMB general secretary Ferdia Kelly.

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste maintained that the projects approved had been assessed as being priority projects by the individual schools themselves and that the capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme. She also asked schools to ensure that they get the very best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market.

The Planning and Building Unit of the Department of Education and Skills will shortly contact all schools approved for grant aid under the Summer Works Scheme with further details and instructions on how to proceed. In total this year almost €579 million will be invested in school building infrastructure under the school building and modernisation programme.

(DW/GK)