Funding announced for Cavan Schools
76 Cavan schools are in line for a funding windfall with the announcement of the latest round of Minor Works Scheme beneficiaries. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and local Fine Gael TD, Heather Humphreys, welcomed the announcement. The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, has confirmed that the Minor Works Grant will be paid to all primary schools throughout the country next week.
Speaking on the matter the Minister Humphreys said: “Schoolchildren in Cavan are set to benefit from this Government funding. The 76 schools in Cavan will receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil attending a special school or special class. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and over €11,000 for a 300 pupil school.”
The funds can be used for 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.
Minister Humphreys said: “I know that our local schools really depend on this grant. Fine Gael is working in Government to strengthen communities and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Ensuring that our children are learning in a quality environment is a major part of this. This grant will go a long way towards improving the physical condition of our school buildings to the benefit of both pupils and the teachers who work there.”
She said that provision are being made to review the system of allocation: “I know from talking to teachers and principals across the constituency that primary schools need more certainty with regard to the availability of the Minor Works Grant on an annual basis. I am pleased to hear Minister Bruton confirm that this will be reviewed in the context of the Department’s long term infrastructural planning and the level of resources available under the Government’s 10 Year Public Capital Investment Plan. This will allow schools to plan better for the future.”