Quinn takes €20m from college capital budget [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 11 May 2011
TWO-THIRDS of the €30 million being provide to improve school buildings this summer was earmarked for labour-intensive projects on third-level campuses.
The €20m Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is putting towards the fund — in addition to €41.2m already announced for a summer works scheme six weeks ago — is being diverted from his third-level capital budget. A spokesperson for the minister said the money is being moved from construction projects where progress has been slow.
When a further €10m from the Exchequer is added, it brings the investment in upgrading schools’ electrical, heating, roofs, playgrounds and other non-emergency works in the next few months to more than €70m.
The 230 primary and 144 schools to benefit are in addition to 453 given clearance at the end of March to proceed with planned works. Mr Quinn said yesterday’s announcement will create 2,880 jobs in construction, when a further €10m to be spent next year is included.
Full Story: www.examiner.ie
