No new applicants allowed for school repair grant

The Department of Education will not provide funding for new summer repair plans in schools next year.

Despite announcing this week she has €28m left in her 2014 capital budget to temporarily restore a minor works’ grant for running repairs to primary schools, Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan will not be taking applications for bigger-scale summer projects.

The summer works scheme (SWS) was operated from 2004 until 2011, giving schools the chance to compete for grants to carry out roof repairs, electrical and heating upgrades, window replacements, and other jobs to be done during summer holidays.