The government has confirmed a package of 30 million euros worth of funding that will be used to improve hundreds of schools.

Works to get under way later this year that were confirmed by a spokeswoman for Education Minister Ruairi Quinn will include "shovel-ready" refurbishments to at least 380 primary and secondary schools, the Irish Times reports.

This will be in addition to a range of gas, electrical and mechanical upgrades to 435 primary and post-primary schools that were announced by the department in March.

According to the spokeswoman, the projects, which she described as "labour-intensive", are "costed and ready to go" and will be a vital part of improving the country's schools infrastructure.

Taniste Eamon Gilmore said the redevelopments, which are part of a wider construction initiative, would help restore confidence in the country's economy and encourage spending, as well as providing jobs to help unemployed people get back into work.

Recently, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland Pat King warned that many schools are currently being "run on a shoestring" and urged to government not to cut budgets any further.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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