19 December 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Five schools based in Cork East Constituency have been successful in securing funding under the Summer Works Scheme according to Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice & Equality, David Stanton. This scheme is operated by the Department of Education and Skills to allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings.
David Stanton TD
“I am pleased that five local schools have been awarded funding to carry out important improvement works in summer 2019. The Summer Works Scheme provides money under a number of categories for a range of improvements including gas, electrical and mechanical works, toilet facilities, structural, roof and window works and other works aimed at assisting schools to meet curricular requirements.
“St Brigid’s NS in Castleredmond, Midleton, Bishop Murphy Memorial School in Fermoy and Gaelscoil Thomais Daibhis in Summerhill, Mallow will all receive funding for window projects under Category 7 of the scheme. Structural improvements, under Category 9, will be carried out in Curraglass NS in Mallow and St Mary’s NS in Orilia Terrace in Cobh. All schools which have been successful will be contacted by the Department’s Planning and Building Unit with further details and instructions on how to proceed,” said Minister Stanton.
The 2019 Summer Works Scheme has a budget of €40 million for projects in 307 primary and post primary schools. This scheme is in addition to other capital funding schemes that are operated by the Department of Education, such as the additional accommodation scheme, Emergency Works and Minor Works schemes.
“This year schools are being notified earlier to assist principals and boards of management in delivering the project. The works, which aims to enhance the learning and working environment, will be carried out mainly over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other staff is kept to a minimum.
“I understand that the new Summer Works Scheme which will open for applications in early 2019 for projects to be delivered from summer 2020. These applications will fall under Category 10, which relates to external works such as upgrade and resurfacing of yards and car parking, which have an estimated costing of more than €30 million.
Minister Stanton concluded: “The Government’s Project Ireland 2040 plan included a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. “This year almost €540 million will be invested in school building infrastructure under the school building and modernisation programme. This will provide for the continued increase in demographics while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing schools.
