Sixteen Wexford schools, 11 primary and five post-primary will undergo major improvement works next summer, but any school which receives funding for car parking and play areas will be required to identify a point for electric vehicle charging. The funding will allow for specialist electric ducting under play and car parking areas in order to ensure resurfaced areas are not dug up in the future.

Schools set to benefit through Government funding provided under the 2020 Summer Works Scheme are as follows; KILNAMANAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Knockskimolin, Oulart. CAMOLIN NATIONAL SCHOOL, OULART NATIONAL SCHOOL, SACRED HEART NATIONAL SCHOOL, Newbawn, BUNSCOIL LORETO, St. Michael’s Road, Gorey. SCOIL NAISÚNTA UÍ COILEAIN, Ballycullane, St. JOSEPH’S NATIONAL SCHOOL, Donard, Poulpeasty, SCOIL GHORMÁIN NAOFA, Castletown, Inch, SCOIL NÁISÚNTA NAOMH SEOSAMH, Bree, DAVIDSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL, SCOIL MHUIRE, Coolcotts Lane, Wexford, St. MARY’S CBS, Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, COLÁISTE BRIDE, Enniscorthy, PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL, Grogan’s Road, Wexford, KENNEDY COLLEGE, New Ross, and SELSKAR COLLEGE (Colaiste Sheilscire), Westgate, Wexford.

Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Minister Michael D’Arcy, has welcomed today’s announcement and said: “The works are a vital investment for the future education of primary pupils and post-primary students in Wexford. Today’s announcement confirms the Government’s continuing prioritisation of capital funding for school buildings across Wexford which will enhance the learning and working environment for pupils and teachers.”

Minister for Education, Joe McHugh has announced that 405 schools across the country will receive more than €30 million for Summer Works projects for delivery in 2020.  Minister McHugh confirmed that 11 primary and 5 post-primary schools in Wexford will receive funding for major improvement works.

Climate Action and change is to the fore of Fine Gael’s agenda and this is no different under this scheme. Minister Joe McHugh added: “Our focus is on three fronts – we have prioritised money to upgrade and improve life safety systems like fire alarms and detection and emergency lighting; we are funding new surfaced on play areas and car parks; and schools will be obliged to plan for electric vehicle charging.

 “The climate action element of next year’s summer works is a sensible plan for the future. More and more electric charging points are coming on stream and it is symbolic that schools will be demonstrating how important initiatives like this are. The work will be carried out in schools mainly over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other staff will be kept to a minimum.”

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton said: “Schools can be champions of climate action within their community. It’s great to see that schools will install electric ducting to facilitate the installation of electric vehicle charging when upgrading their play areas and car parks through the government’s summer works scheme.”