Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, David Stanton TD has welcomed the announcement that local primary schools are to receive the Minor Works Grant for the 2016/2017 school year. The grant will be released to schools in the coming weeks.

“The Minor Works Grant is used for relatively small scale, but necessary, improvements to school facilities and equipment. It is worth €5,500 per school plus an additional €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. This means that a 50 pupil school will receive almost €6,500 with €11,000 being allocated to a 300 pupil school.

“The works that can be undertaken under the Minor Works Grant include improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and the purchase of IT related equipment.

“I know there was concern that the Minor Works Grant might not be payable this year as I was contacted by a number of local schools. I had contacted my colleague Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Education and Skills relaying the concerns of schools and stressing the value of this grant for schools. I am pleased that the importance of this grant has been recognised.