Almost 200 primary and post primary schools throughout Ireland are to be improved and upgraded under the Summer Works Scheme for 2016 and 2017.

A total of 197 schools will undergo improvement works, the Minister for Education, Jan O'Sullivan, has confirmed.

She said: "Of the €80 million announced for the multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (2016-2017), €30 million is now being allocated for vital gas works and electrical upgrades in schools. The majority of works will be carried out in schools over the summer months, so as to minimise disruption to students, teachers and other school staff.

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"The capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme. The projects approved have been assessed as being priority projects by the individual schools themselves. These works are deemed to be absolutely necessary and we have been able to provide Boards of Management and Patrons with the funding necessary to address the schools' needs"

(CD)