Education Minister, John O'Dowd, today announced a boost of £10m for schools' maintenance.

The additional funding brings the total allocation for maintenance to £47m for this financial year.

Speaking about the additional funding, Minister O'Dowd said: "I have regularly highlighted the need for continued investment in the schools estate to support work we are undertaking to raise educational standards. Education continues to face tough financial challenges and I, as Minister, must ensure that funding is used in the most effective manner. The allocation of an additional £10million to maintenance recognises the challenges that exist within the estate and is further evidence of my commitment to use the resources at my disposal to support teaching and learning in schools.

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"While today's announcement is good news for schools, there is a need for continuing investment and it is essential we put in place a sustained and substantial investment programme for the future."

In addition to maintenance work, the Department of Education also provides funding for work deemed as minor works, i.e., capital projects under £500,000. In the period January to June 2013, the Department awarded contracts to the value of £4.4m to address issues ranging from minor repairs to more significant refurbishment projects and extensions. Since June last year, the Minister has also announced that 40 major capital building schemes can proceed which represents a potential investment of £353m.

(CD/JP)