Colm Burke
Question:366. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) will be awarded funding to complete a project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18145/26]
View answerThursday, 5 March 2026
Questions (366)
Written answers
The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for toilet facilities.
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 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.
The school's original application was refused additional funding as the additional works sought did not fall within the remit of the EWS.
The refusal is currently being reviewed by the EWS team under the appeals process. Once this review process is complete the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.