Niamh Smyth
Question:221. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the total funding provided for schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the minor works grant in 2020. [37552/20]
View answerThursday, 19 November 2020
Questions (221)
Written answers
Under Project Ireland 2040 the Minor Works Grant (MWG) is paid to primary schools in either December or January of each school year.
This year, due to the exceptional circumstances arising from COVID-19, €29m was paid under the Minor Works Grant to primary schools in the free scheme in July 2020. There was also an additional funding of €75m under the July Stimulus programme allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant at Primary and a once off Minor Works Grant at Post-Primary schools.
In 2020,to date:
- schools in County Cavan have received the Minor Works Grants to the value of €1,934,138.00
- schools in County Monaghan have received the Minor Works Grants to the value of €1,633,618.00
The Deputy should also be aware, on the 12th of November, I announced a further €55 million in minor works grants for primary and post-primary schools to be paid in early December, 2020.
The €55 million payments involve:
- an additional €25m funding for Covid-19 related Minor Works at post-primary level;
- bringing forward from 2021 the standard €30m minor works grant at primary level
The minor works grant funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage in the Covid-19 environment and to put more sustainable arrangements in place. For example, schools may use this funding to enhance ventilation, purchase furniture or adapt toilet areas.
The payment of the grants at this stage gives schools a good lead-in period to plan and undertake works that support the operation of the school in the current school year and assist in catering for capacity and other requirements going into the 2021/22 school year.