8th November 2013, 2.45pm
By TheCork.ie
news@TheCork.ie
Buttimer welcomes €70m in additional funding for school improvements
Cork South Central Fine Gael TD, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Friday)
welcomed the announcement that an additional €70 million is being
provided to carry out building works and improvements at schools
around the country. The funding has been announced by the Minister for
Education, Ruairí Quinn TD.
“It’s great news in particular that the Summer Works Scheme is being
reinstated, with €40 million being made available next year for the
improvement and upgrading of existing school buildings. This will come
as a major boost to many schools around the country which are badly in
need of repair.
“This Scheme will support approximately 2,400 direct and 480 indirect
construction jobs, which is hugely welcome. The Scheme generally
allows schools to carry out small and medium scale building works such
as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof and window upgrades and
structural improvements.
“These works will be carried out next summer, while students and
teachers are on holidays, to minimise disruption. At a time when all
capital budgets continue to be restricted, it is very positive that
this Scheme is being reinstated, and I am sure that it will come as a
welcome relief to many schools in Cork.
“In addition to the reopening of the Summer Works Scheme, €28 million
is being made available through the Minor Works Grant Scheme, in the
form of once-off payments to primary schools. This money will be paid
to primary schools in the coming weeks and will allow them to carry
out small scale repairs. This upfront payment will be welcomed by many
schools at this time of year, especially those which are struggling to
carry out maintenance works.
“Any schools which are interested in these schemes can apply for
grants online using the Esinet portal. A Freephone service is also
available to assist schools with queries. It can be contacted at 1800
200 955 daily from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4.30pm, from now until 10th
December 2013. Schools are expected to identify the most urgently
required projects to be funded from the Summer Works Scheme. Each
school can then apply for one small scale project and will be
responsible for the completion of those works.
“I am pleased that the Government is continuing to prioritise the
upgrading of school facilities to the benefit of students, parents,
teachers and local communities. I hope interested schools in Cork will
take the opportunity to apply for these grants without delay.”