Fianna Fáil has called on the government to provide funding for minor works to be carried out on schools throughout Ireland.

TD for Longford – Westmeath Robert Troy said the government's failure to a commit to a Minor Works Grant for schools is resulting in higher costs for parents.

The Minor Works Grant provides funding for the constant upkeep and maintenance of schools.

He said: "The Minor Works Grant provides essential funding to schools to allow them operate on a day to day basis. It is used to help repair damage such as leaking roofs, broken heating systems and smashed windows. Schools have been denied this basic funding in recent years, and once again this year there is no budgetary provision for the scheme.

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"I have raised this matter with Minister for Education Richard Bruton and have pressed him on the need to provide funding for the scheme as a matter of urgency. The Minister has so far refused to provide this funding and has said the issue will not be reviewed until later in the year. This is unacceptable when you consider schools are back for nearly two months at this stage, and many have been unable to carry out essential maintenance works due to a lack of funding."

(CD/MH)