Summer Works Scheme is good for schools and good for jobs

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor has welcomed the announcement that six schools in Dun Laoghaire are to receive funding under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme. The €36 million Department of Education and Science scheme provides for building maintenance and improvement works in 386 schools across every county in Ireland.

“I am delighted that six schools in Dun Laoghaire are to receive funding for building maintenance and improvement works under the 2014 Summer Works Scheme. The schools listed for grants are: Our Lady Good Counsel Girls National School, Johnstown; Scoil Colmcille Senior School, Ballybrack; St Colmcille Junior National School, Ballybrack; Dominican College, Blackrock; Cabinteely Community School, Cabinteely;and Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin.

“The schools listed under the scheme can find instructions on how to tender for the funding using the Esinet Portal on the Department of Education and Skills website.

“The scheme is used by schools to improve and upgrade existing school buildings. The first round of funding will allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works across three categories of projects – Gas, Electrical & Mechanical. In Dun Laoghaire, six schools are to receive funding from the scheme with almost 2,000 students to benefit from the works carried out.

“A second round of the scheme will be announced in the coming weeks and will cover other types of school building improvement works. Applications are currently being assessed for this second round of funding.

“This scheme is also good for job creation, supporting 2,160 direct and 430 indirect local construction jobs across the country.

“In total almost €470 million will be spent on school building infrastructure this year under the school building and modernisation programme. It is crucial that we continue to maintain and modernise our school buildings. Our children deserve the best possible environment in which to learn and flourish.”