Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
522. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline all emergency works approved for schools in Cork which are ongoing or awaiting construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9140/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. 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 is a devolved process which operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
With regards to approved emergency works projects for schools in Cork, which are ongoing or awaiting construction, there are currently 171 projects with schools to process further.
