Grants represent a minimum of €3.38 million for Galway Primary and Secondary Schools 

Every school in Galway will receive funding under the Minor Works Grant Scheme in the coming weeks.

Under the Scheme, schools receive a flat rate payment of €5,500 for primary and €10,000 for secondary and a payment based on the number of pupils enrolled – €18.50 per primary pupil and €55 per secondary pupil. A higher rate of €74 and €220 is paid for pupils with special needs at primary and secondary levels respectively.

Under the Scheme schools can put the funding to use for improvements to school buildings and grounds, the purchase of furniture, IT equipment and other equipment. This year there is emphasis on helping schools undertake works to ensure social distancing, improve ventilation and enhance cleaning due to the on-going threat of Covid-19.

From my experience Galway schools are top of the class in using funding under the Minor Grant Scheme to maintain and improve facilities for pupils across the county. I know this allocation will be warmly welcomed by the many teachers and principals who have contacted me on this Scheme in recent months.

Based on the most recent statistics available (2019/20) from the Department on school enrolment numbers the Minor Works Grant Scheme will see at least €1.8 million invested in primary schools in Galway, €1.548 million in secondary schools. Mainstream schools receive a payment of four-times the standard rates for each pupil with additional needs attending.

Overall, the Minor Grants Scheme represents a €55 million investment in our schools across the country and comes at a time when all school communities – teachers, pupils and parents – continue to work exceptionally hard to keep schools open during the pandemic.

Notes:

Primary Pupils – Mainstream – 30,430 x €18.5 = €562,955

Primary Schools – 225 x €5,500 = €1,237,500

Secondary Pupils – Mainstream – 20,256 x €55 = €1,114,080

Secondary Schools – 47 x €10,000 = €470,000

The above figures do not include the additional payment per special education pupil attending mainstream primary and secondary school which is €74 at primary and €220 at secondary.