11 local schools receive Summer Works Scheme funding – Minister David Stanton

11 schools based in Cork East Constituency have been successful in securing funding under the 2020 Summer Works Scheme (SWS) according to Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice & Equality, David Stanton.

Speaking after the successful applications to the 2020 scheme were announced, Minister Stanton said: “I am delighted to learn that eleven schools have been awarded funding to carry out important improvement works in summer 2020.  The SWS provides money under a number of categories for a range of improvements including life safety systems, electrical and mechanical works, toilet facilities, roof and window works, works aimed at assisting schools to meet curricular requirements, fabric defects and external environmental projects.”

The Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is operated by the Department of Education and Skills to allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works to improve and upgrade existing school buildings. The 2020 SWS has a budget of €30 million for projects in 405 primary and post-primary schools.  This year there is a focus on climate action and on school planning for electric vehicle charge points. 

David Stanton continued: “Out of the 11 successful Cork East schools, five are to receive funding for life safety systems under Category 1 of the SWS:

• St Mary’s NS, Orilia Terrace, Cobh
• Gael Scoil Thomais Daibhis, Cnoc an tSamhraidh, Magh Ealla
• Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy
• Presentation Secondary School, Brigown, Mitchelstown
• Pobailscoil na Tríonóide, Frogmore, Youghal

“The remaining six schools were successful under Category 10 which relates to the external environmental works such as the upgrading and resurfacing of school yards and car parking. Schools which receive funding under Category 10 will be required to identify a point for electric vehicle charging to allow for specialist electric ducting to ensure that resurfaced areas are not dug up in the future:

• Scoil Naomh Eoin, Ballincurrig
• Whitegate Mixed NS, Corkbeg, Whitegate
• Bartlemy NS, Rathcormac, Fermoy
• St. Patrick’s NS, Boherash, Glanworth
• Coláiste Muire, Bishop’s Street, Cobh
• Castlemartyr NS, Gortnahomnamore, Castlemartyr

“All schools which have been successful will be contacted by the Department of Education and Skills’ Planning and Building Unit with further details on how to proceed. This year schools are being notified several weeks earlier to give principals and boards of management a greater lead-in time for the delivery of the project.  The works will be carried out mainly over the summer months, which minimises disruption to students, teachers and other staff,” said Minister Stanton.

“The SWS is in addition to other capital funding schemes operated by the Department of Education, such as the additional accommodation scheme, Emergency Works and Minor Works schemes which aim to assist schools in increasing their capacity and facilities.  Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive approximately €12 billion over the period 2018 to 2027 which includes some €8.8 billion for the schools sector, concluded Minister Stanton