Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
113. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Cork have benefitted from the emergency works scheme and the additional accommodation scheme in 2022-2025; the amount of funding spent on each scheme in these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40748/26]
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 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.
Between 2022 - 2025, 379 schools in Cork have benefited from funding under the Emergency Works Scheme, with a spend of €24.92m.
With regards to additional accommodation scheme in 2022-2025; 270 schools benefited with a spend of €78.89m.
