Minister allocates
- Published: 24 June 2005
ESSENTIAL building and repair works will be carried out at a further 151 schools this summer, Education Minister Mary Hanafin announced yesterday.
The additional €8.5 million to the summer works scheme (SWS) will allow 90 primary schools and 61 post-primary schools address health and safety issues, upgrade toilets and play areas, upgrade electrics and heating and repair damaged facilities.
Ms Hanafin announced the allocation of €60m to almost 600 schools in March for projects such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement and toilet upgrades.
The SWS allows schools carry out important work during summer holidays and early autumn, meaning there is minimum disruption to classes while it is carried out.
The emphasis in the latest phase is on structural improvements and external environment issues, such as upgrading play areas, school security and adjustments to facilitate curricular developments.
Ms Hanafin said the level of demand for funding for higher priority projects in the earlier SWS phase meant it was not possible to fund important projects, such as playground creation and upgrades.
"The main areas covered in this phase will provide special- needs access, upgrade play areas, enhance school security and allow adjustments to facilitate curricular developments, such as upgrading of science labs and arts and crafts rooms," she said.
Since its introduction two years ago, the SWS has allocated more than €101m to 1,183 projects.
While teachers have concerns about the additional administrative burden created for principals during summer holidays, they welcomed the latest funding.
Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) general secretary John Carr said principals who effectively act as project managers in some schools should be paid a fee that reflects the extra time and effort put in to ensure the job is a success.
Schools in every county, except Kerry, Laois and Leitrim, will benefit from the extra funding.
In Dublin, 30 schools will receive support and projects in 23 Cork schools will also be funded.
