Up to 600 schools to be repaired after funding scheme doubled to €62m

ALMOST 600 schools will undergo major repair works during the summer under a Department of Education funding scheme which has been doubled this year.

The €62 million Summer Works Scheme will facilitate repairs to heating and electrical systems, roof and window replacement projects, and improvement of disability access at 362 primary and 228 second level schools. Other types of projects to be funded include structural and playground improvements, repairs to toilets and provision of facilities to help schools provide a full curriculum.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin said that devolving the funding to individual schools to undertake small scale work proved a success when the programme was introduced last year.