Irish Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan has announced a €122 million investment that will see 1,480 primary and post primary schools across the country benefiting from small and medium scale building works this summer.

The Summer Works Scheme covers projects in school buildings such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

The Tánaiste said that this record level of investment through the Summer Works Scheme had the potential to generate work for over 4,400 trades people across the country during the summer period.

Making the announcement while on a visit to the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town, the Tánaiste said: "Despite the current fiscal constraint, the Government remains committed to significant capital investment in key areas.

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"Education is a priority and this record level of investment in improving our schools' infrastructure will not only improve the learning environment for thousands of students, but it will also stimulate economic activity by generating work for trades people across the country."

1,113 primary schools and 367 post primary schools will benefit from the scheme.

The Tánaiste said that the projects approved had been assessed as being priority projects by the individual schools themselves and that the capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme.

She also asked schools to ensure that they get the very best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market.

The Planning and Building Unit of the Department of Education and Skills will shortly contact all schools approved for grant aid under the Summer Works Scheme with further details and instructions on how to proceed.

Almost €579 million will be invested in school building infrastructure this year under the school building and modernisation programme.

(NS/BMcC)