MORE THAN €80 million is to be spent on a refurbishment programme for about 1,000 schools this summer. The Summer Works Scheme, which was deferred last year, is being revived, Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe announced yesterday.
It will allow schools to fund work like roof replacements and repairs, window replacement and various structural improvements.
Yesterday, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation described the list of schools which will begin summer works as an indictment of Celtic Tiger Ireland. The union said the list revealed that 204 schools needed proper windows, 135 needed modern sanitary facilities, 114 schools needed safe electrical systems and 139 schools needed decent roofs.
John Carr, the INTO’s general secretary, said: “This list of school building projects is a roll call of shame, showing work that has not been done.”
The deferral of the programme last year was widely criticised by teacher unions and school managers. This summer, some 650 primary schools and 317 post-primary schools will benefit from the programme. The work is completed over the summer so disruption to daily school life is minimised.
Yesterday Mr O’Keeffe said the investment would create much-needed construction jobs. “I’d ask schools to ensure that they get best value for money on prices for jobs in the more competitive construction market,” said Mr O’Keeffe.
The department’s planning and building unit will shortly contact all schools approved for grant aid, with further details and instructions on how to proceed.
The INTO said the Government was struggling to play catch up with the building needs of schools. The union said applications for the building works announced as part of the programme yesterday were made in mid-2007. “This means schools have waited nearly two years for an answer from the department,” said Mr Carr. “In the meantime, children and teachers have endured substandard electricity systems, inadequate toilet facilities and leaking roofs.”
“Schools looked for funding in 2007 because they needed urgent upgrading then,” said Mr Carr. He said today’s announcement referred to work that should have been carried out long ago.
“This is last year’s repair and maintenance programme,” said Mr Carr. “The Minister is trying to repackage and resell a scheme.”
Full details of the scheme are on the department’s website, www.education.ie/home