Primary schools across the country have secured a total of €29m from the Minor Works Grant.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh T.D., announced yesterday, 26 November, that every school would receive a share of the funding over the next few days.

They will all receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil attending a special school or special class. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and over €11,000 for a 300 pupil school. 

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This announcement supports the commitment made under Project Ireland 2040 that the Minor Works Grant will be paid on an annual basis to all primary schools. 

The Department of Education and Skills is advising all school authorities to use the grant to prioritise fire safety prevention works. The Appendix sets out a summary of the key outcomes from the Department led programme of fire safety assessments on 55 schools that were initiated in Q4 2017. This highlights the need for a strengthened focus on fire safety housekeeping, maintenance and, where necessary, remedial works. 

The Department will be developing guidance for all primary and post-primary schools on the key issues identified from the fire safety assessment programme.

Minister McHugh said: "I am pleased that there is now more certainty for schools in relation to the Minor Works Grant and that this will enable schools to have more effective maintenance programmes in place. A key priority is to ensure that any fire safety matters are addressed."

(CM/MH)