Lower Austria is investing 86.7 million euros in schools and kindergartens!

Lower Austria is investing 86.7 million euros in schools and kindergartens!

Significant investments in schools and kindergartens are imminent in Lower Austria. At a meeting of the school and kindergarten fund, funding was decided for a total of 391 construction projects, which include both new buildings and renovation work. These projects amount to 86.7 million euros. According to that courier accounts for the recognized costs for 58 of the larger projects, each of which cost over 100,000 euros, an amount of around 69 million euros.

The total funding from the state of Lower Austria amounts to around 28.4 million euros. The amount of funding paid to municipalities for structural investments was almost doubled in 2023 - from 27 to 50 percent. This increase has already led to projects with a total value of over 300 million euros being realized.

Funding for numerous projects

In addition to the investments mentioned above, 333 funding decisions were also issued for projects that were below the threshold of 100,000 euros. These targeted support services were recently decided at the third meeting of the Lower Austrian School and Kindergarten Fund 2024 under the leadership of State Councilor for Education Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister. In total, this involves funding for 95 projects, which include new buildings as well as renovations and the acquisition of IT systems, such as Lower Austrian state government reported.

The investments amounting to 16.5 million euros are aimed in particular at creating additional childcare places. The state is also providing interest subsidies amounting to 8 million euros for these developments. In this context, communities such as Enzesfeld-Lindabrunn, Leobersdorf, Prellenkirchen and others in the district should benefit.

Strategic goals of the care offensive

As part of the blue-yellow care offensive, which was presented in autumn 2022, new funding guidelines were set for the period from 2023 to 2027. Among other things, the funding for groups in day care centers or kindergartens will be increased to 48.6 percent. The offensive also includes measures to reduce closing days and gradually open for two-year-olds. The aim is a radical improvement in early childhood care and education.

Particularly relevant are the planned temporary structural arrangements, which will be supported with a direct subsidy of 25 percent. The total investment planned for the care offensive until 2027 amounts to 750 million euros. This underlines the state government's desire to combine the economic strengthening of the region with an improved care infrastructure.