Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
301. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education to reassess a school's application (details supplied) for a weather porch at their front door, given a senior architect from the buildings unit recently confirmed that the lack of weather porch and heavy front doors is an issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2933/24]
View answerI refer to the Deputy’s query regarding funding towards an outdoor weather porch and Front door.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation. Outdoor facilities, such as the weather porch do not fall under the remit of the ASA scheme.
In this instance it would be more appropriate for the school in question to utilise their minor works grant
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.
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
