The work will be mainly carried out during summer months.
“Major improvements” have been promised for primary and post-primary schools across Ireland following the announcement of the government’s Summer Works programme for 2019.
307 schools in total will receive funding of more than €40 million in order to upgrade current conditions, meet existing standards and make general building improvements.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh officially launched the new project upon visiting Scoil Cholmcille, Letterkenny, Abbey Vocational and Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí in Donegal on Monday.
“This €40 million investment secures money for schools to upgrade windows, meet curricular requirements and make structural improvements to buildings,” said Minister McHugh.
“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 earlier to try to give principals and boards of management a better lead in time to plan and then deliver their summer works.”
234 of the schools that will benefit from the funding are primary schools, while 73 are post-primary.
The full list of successful schools can be viewed at this link.
The multi-annual scheme was first announced in 2015 and these selected schools are being funded in line with three specific categories.
347 other applications were registered under a different category which relates to external works such as the upgrading and resurfacing of yards and car parking.
Those concerned come with an estimated cost of over €30 million and more detailed analysis of said applications is required before those works can move forward.
The government intends to undertake that analysis in 2019 with a view to enabling approved applications the following year.
“The capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme,” Minister McHugh said.
“I am confident that school authorities will be able to achieve best value for money on prices for jobs and I’m urging schools to ensure that they get the maximum benefit for their schools,” he added.
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