442 school repair and upgrade projects around the country are to be carried out under a new €31 million summer works scheme, the Minister for Education, Mr Noel Dempsey has announced.
292 primary and 150 post-primary projects are to be completed during the scheme, which is designed to fund small-scale works for schools deemed most in need of the resources.
Mr Dempsey said yesterday the fact that the work would take place during the summer months would minimise the amount of disruption caused.
"The summer works scheme will allow schools to manage their individual projects with little or no interaction with the Department," he said.
"It will also provide a streamlined and focused vehicle for delivering small-scale capital projects for recognised schools."
In future, schools would be able to apply for funding under headings such as small-scale works and temporary accommodation, he said. A calendar of dates would be introduced setting out specific times when funding can be applied for under the various schemes.
"In this way, all parties will be aware of when applications can be made, when a decision can be expected, and when precisely the project will be delivered, " he said.
Teaching unions yesterday welcomed the announcement of the summer works scheme.
According to Mr John Carr of the INTO, the existence of the scheme provided further evidence of the "crisis in primary school buildings that must be tackled.
"The new transparency, flexibility and sense of urgency are to be welcomed," he said. "However, it should be remembered that there are hundreds more schools where urgent work must be carried out."
Mr Derek Dunne, president of the TUI said that while the new funding was welcome, he believed it was "vital that all our schools are brought up to a high standard in as short a timeframe as possible.
"Once again it is important to state that schools should not have to compete against each other in a table of structural dilapidation to secure funding for vital projects."
Mr John White, acting general secretary of the ASTI said it welcomed any funding which improves conditions for pupils in schools.This scheme was particularly welcome, he said, because it allowed schools to manage their own projects.