Over 400 schools across the country are set to be upgraded next summer as part of a new €30 million investment.

The 2020 Summer Works Scheme will see specialist improvements delivered at 405 schools, which includes 324 primary schools and 81 post-primary schools.

Announcing the funding, Education Minister JoeMcHugh said: "The €30million fund for the 2020 Summer Works Scheme that I am announcing for schools will make an enormous difference to the standard of facilities next year.

"Our focus is on three fronts – we have prioritised money to upgrade and improve life safety systems like fire alarms and detection and emergency lighting; we are funding new surfaces on play areas and car parks; and schools will be obliged to plan for electric vehicle charging.

"In total 405 primary and post-primary schools will benefit from the Summer Works Scheme – that's more than a tenth of all the schools in the country in one go."

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A climate action initiative has been included in the Summer Works Scheme 2020 to ensure schools future proof for electric vehicles.

Any school which receives funding for car parking and play areas will be required to identify a point for electric vehicle charging. The funding will allow for specialist electric ducting under play and car parking areas in order to ensure resurfaced areas are not dug up in the future.

Minister McHugh added: "The climate action element of next year's summer works is a sensible plan for the future. More and more electric charging points are coming on stream and it is symbolic that schools will be demonstrating how important initiatives like this are.

"The work will be carried out in schools mainly over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other staff will be kept to a minimum.

"We have also made sure that schools are getting the notification several weeks earlier than last year to try to give principals and boards of management a better lead-in time to plan and then get the work done.

"The €70 million investment for 2019 and 2020 is helping more than 700 schools to improve their facilities."

As part of the government's Climate Action Plan, schools applying for Summer Works projects post 2020 will be required to register online with the SEAI, and commit to submit the appropriate returns, before any payments can issue in respect of the approved projects.

(CM/JG)