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School Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Questions (222)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

222. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the total funding provided to schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the measures accompanying the plan to reopen schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37553/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, on 27 July last the Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap, following approval by the Government. The package of supports were expected to cost in excess of €437 million in the 2020/2021 school year. Revised public health advice to reduce the capacity on school transport led to further additional costs of €15 million in 2020.

The range of supports being made available to schools includes  financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs under the Covid-19 response plans, school transport, the continuation of additional educational psychological services to provide for well-being supports, etc.

The Government also approved a package of minor works grants amounting to €75 million as part of the July Stimulus to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening. An additional €105 million was subsequently announced for 2020 which will facilitate the bringing forward of an ICT grant and minor works grant for primary schools planned for 2021 and the delivery of projects and will also allow for an exceptional minor works grant payment to post-primary schools .

I can confirm to the Deputy that at the end of October 2020, €154 million of the approved supports (€72 million of capital grants, €67 million current grants and pay costs of some €15 million approx.) have been paid directly to all of the country's State funded primary and post-primary schools along with bringing forward the payment of €30 million of primary minor works grants planned for later this year.  A detailed breakdown of this expenditure on a county by county basis is not readily available.

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