A total of 77 primary schools in Westmeath are to benefit from a €28.5m Minor Works Grant, announced by Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, last Thursday (Nov 17 ).
Announcing the funding, the Minister said the rates payable are €5,500 per school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50-pupil school and more than €11,000 for a 300-pupil school.
The works that can be undertaken under the Minor Works Grant include 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.
Independent Deputy for Longford-Westmeath, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, said of the funding: “I am very pleased with today’s news so that funding is available to allow the Minor Works Grant 2016/2017 to issue to primary schools this year. Local schools will receive the grant in the coming weeks.”
Fine Gael Deputy, Peter Burke, said the grant “is well deserved by the local schools who have applied and can be used to future-proof our local primary schools for future generations in Westmeath”.
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, said: “This funding has been used very effectively in the past by school principals and Boards of Management to make improvements to the school fabric which can enhance the surroundings and benefit every pupil. I am delighted that the funding has been made available for the 2016/2017 school year.”
The schools who applied for funding will receive their grants in the coming weeks. More information is available via the Department of Education website at www.education.ie
