Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
509. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider measures to ensure that minor works and ICT grants are not diverted to core running costs, particularly in small rural schools, so that these grants may be used for maintenance, improvement works and digital provision as intended (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17027/26]
View answer517. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the grant payment calendar for 2026 and 2027 will be published for primary schools, including the scheduled payment months for Minor Works and ICT grants, with particular reference to small rural schools to support Board of Management planning and procurement (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17045/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 517 together.
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 (a) introduction of an increase in minor works grant funding at primary level and (b) 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
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200 million for schools in the form of the ICT Grant over the course of the strategy, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP).
In December 2021 the first tranche (€50m) of the ICT grant issued.
In April 2024 the second tranche of €50m issued to schools. In May 2025 €35m the third tranche issued to schools, the most recent tranche of €35m issued to schools in January 2026.
The remainder of the ICT Infrastructure Grant from the €200 million NDP Sectoral Investment will issue in December 26/January 27.
This funding underpins the ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to continue to embed the use of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning and assessment.
The School referred to by the Deputy has received grants totalling €57,607 for the Minor Works Grant and €31,486 in ICT funding since 2020.
All schools that receive funding from my Department are subject to compliance checks to ensure that all funds are being used in an appropriate manner and in line with the circular(s) that govern the Minor Works Grant and ICT.
The Department is committed to providing schools at both primary and post-primary level with as much detail regarding grants, grant amounts and expected payment timeframes for each academic year in as far in advance as is practicable.
Officials in the Department are currently considering the presentation of schedules for grants that will include, as applicable across primary and post-primary, Standarised Testing, Capitation, Digital Strategy ICT, Deontas Breise Gaeilge, Free School Books, School Services Support Fund, Programme grants and DEIS grants.
