Emer Currie
Question:600. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider increasing the minor works scheme for special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11722/26]
View answerTuesday, 17 February 2026
Questions (600)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Under Project Ireland 2040, a commitment was given that the Minor Works Grant and ICT grants would be paid in either December or January of the school year. In recent years, my department’s approach has been to pay the Minor Works Grant to schools in advance of the start of the following school year, in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.
Since 2020, €330 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants, have been allocated to schools. This includes the payment of Minor Works Grants totalling almost €30 million for the school year 2026/2027 which has issued in December 2025
Primary and special schools need not apply for Minor Works Grant aid. Under the scheme, funding is made available to all primary and special schools on the following basis:
€5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil enrolled in the school on the 30th of September of the year prior to the issue of the grant. The €74 rate applies to a special needs pupil attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream school.
Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed, to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.
As part of planning for a strengthened maintenance regime, December 2028/January 2029 is being set as planned payment timeline for the introduction of an increase in minor works grant funding at primary and Special school level and an introduction of minor works grant at post-primary level.
Engagement to commence in 2026 with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate methodology for targeting this increased investment on maintenance.