Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
474. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to an appeal under the emergency works scheme for an application for a school's repairs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72002/25]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for works to the school yard.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).
The school's EWS application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS and were more appropriate to an SWS project. An appeals mechanism exists for the EWS, appeals will only be considered if they are submitted through the Esinet system and should contain additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application. The school in question recently appealed this decision and the EWS team will engage with the school shortly with an update.
