Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
192. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide funding to ensure that defibrillators are in place in all special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43662/23]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school.
All primary schools receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil on the school roll on the 30th September of the year prior to the issue of the grant. (The €74 rate applies to a special needs pupil attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream school).
A total of €280 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools between 2018 and 2022.
For the school year 2022/2023, to provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of an Enhanced minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools was issued in December 2021.
For the school year 2023/2024 minor works grant funding totalling €29m for primary schools and special schools issued in April 2023.
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.
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 floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, enhancements to outdoor learning environments and the purchase of equipment such as defibrillators.
Additional information on the Minor Works Grant can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4e6ef-minor-works-grant/#grant-scheme-for-minor-works.
