Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in budget 2026 for the minor work grant, ICT grant, solar PV grant and climate action summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has invested over €6.9 billion in schools nationwide under the National Development Plan (NDP). This investment has enabled the completion of more than 1,400 school building projects, alongside over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to address priority maintenance needs and advance energy-efficiency and climate objectives. Repurposing and optimising existing accommodation has also been central to meeting special education needs in a timely and inclusive manner, with approximately 80% of new special classes for 2025/26 being delivered through refurbished classroom spaces.
A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion has been confirmed for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026–2030 under the NDP. Within this allocation, a strong emphasis will continue to be placed on provision for children with special educational needs, particularly in meeting annual school place requirements. For both Large-Scale Projects and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, the Department will continue to prioritise maximising existing school capacity and delivering targeted additional accommodation where required to meet the most urgent needs.
As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, the first tranche of projects to proceed to tender and/or construction in 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. Further tranches will be identified on a rolling basis, with stakeholder consultation commencing in June 2026. The Implementation Plan will ensure that NDP funding is used to maximise outputs, prioritise areas with insufficient capacity, and deliver projects that are affordable, represent value for money, and meet functional requires.
To date, €340 million has been allocated to schools through the Minor Works Grant and Enhanced Minor Works Grant. This includes €30 million in Minor Works Grants issued in December 2025 for the 2026/2027 school year.
Under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, €200 million has been committed for school ICT through the NDP, with approximately €170 million already allocated. The most recent ICT Grant payment—totalling €35 million—issued to schools in January 2026. The payment timelines for both the Minor Works Grant and the ICT Grant have now been standardised, with schools receiving these grants during the December/January period each year. This schedule will be incorporated into the Department’s annual grants payment calendar to provide greater clarity and certainty for schools.
Over €200 million has been provided to schools under the Summer Works Scheme to support essential improvement and maintenance works, including upgrades to roofs, windows, and mechanical and electrical systems. The first tranche of 297 projects under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme—along with the completion of remaining projects under the previous scheme—was published in November 2025 for delivery primarily in summer 2026 involving an investment of €90m. A key priority within this tranche is the refurbishment of over 60 science laboratories to support the rollout of the redeveloped Senior Cycle Science Curriculum.
A second tranche of Climate Action Summer Works Scheme projects will be published in October 2026.
In addition, more than 100 ongoing climate-related projects continue to be delivered through a combination of EU-funded programmes and partnerships with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
