merrion street

453 primary and post primary schools across the country have been successful in their applications for funding under the Summer Works Scheme this year. 

These funds will allow the schools in question to carry out small and medium scale building works this summer under the Summer Works Scheme announced today by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, TD. 

Announcing the list of successful applicants, Minister Quinn said “I am pleased to be able to announce the Summer Works Scheme this year, which will benefit 453 schools around the country.

“The works in question cover projects in school buildings such as gas, electrical and mechanical works.

“These works will be carried out in these schools over the summer months, when the pupils are on holidays, so the disruption to schooling will be kept to a minimum.

“The Government has committed in its Programme for Government to advancing with shovel-ready projects as quickly as possible and this investment in our schools will create much-needed jobs in the construction sector.

“The capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme and I’m pleased to be in a position to make funding available this year.

“I am confident that school authorities will be able to achieve best value for money on prices for jobs, given the competitive construction market at present and I call on schools to ensure that they maximise the benefit to their schools of the works sanctioned,” said the Minister. 

The Planning and Building Unit in the Department will be in contact shortly with all schools approved for grant aid under this year's Summer Works Scheme with further details and instructions on how to proceed.

This year, almost €383 million will be invested in school building infrastructure under the school building and modernisation programme.