Schools to get €120m upgrade

Almost 1,000 schools will receive €120m in funding to upgrade their facilities next summer, it was confirmed today.

Around 641 primary schools and 324 secondary schools will have 1,137 projects completed under the 2007 Summer Works Scheme.

More than €119.5m will be spent this summer on projects in schools such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, windows replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said: "This is a significant increase of over €40m on the 2006 funding. These works are deemed to be absolutely necessary and we have been able to provide more Boards of Management and Trustees with funding to deal with the expanded scheme this year."

Ms Hanafin said there was a minimum of disruption for students and teachers as the work is carried out during the summer months.

By this summer more than 3,000 projects will have been carried out in schools at a cost of €299m since the scheme's introduction in 2004.