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Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has today announced the allocation of almost €70 million for school improvements.

Over €28 million is being made available as a once-off payment to primary schools as part of the Minor Works Grant scheme. Another €40 million will be allocated under the Summer Works Scheme 2014 which is being re-introduced to fund the improvement and upgrading of existing school buildings.

The Minor Works Grant will be paid to primary schools in the coming weeks and will enable schools to undertake small scale repair works without the need to interact with the Department.

I know that the immediate payment of this grant in 2013 will be welcomed by school communities and management bodies as a valuable contribution to the costs of maintaining school infrastructure.

...said Minister Quinn.

Funding from the Summer Works Scheme will allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof and window upgrades, structural improvements; works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings.

Schools can apply for these grants online using the Esinet portal. A Freephone service is also available to assist schools with queries. It can be contacted at 1800 200 955 daily from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm from 7th November to 10th December 2013.

Full details on the Summer Works Scheme are available at: