Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
420. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 569 of 12 May 2026, the status of the approved summer works scheme funding for a school (details supplied); and when the school is expected to be in a position to draw down the approved funding. [44979/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
In November 2025, the Department announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS). 297 projects were approved to proceed in 2026, this included 99 remaining projects from the previous Summer Works Scheme, which included the school in question.
All approved schools were issued with a decision letter confirming approval and outlining the next steps required to progress their projects. This included an instruction to submit a full set of pre-tender documents to the Department for review and approval in advance of initiating any tender process. This requirement is in place to ensure that all works comply with building regulations, procurement requirements, and Departmental guidelines, and that works are completed to the highest standard and for the school and the schools current and future students.
In this instance, the school did not adhere to the prescribed procedure and proceeded directly to tender. A subsequent review of the tender documentation identified a number of issues, which were communicated to the school for comment and response. This case underscores the importance of adhering to established procedures and guidelines, as such issues could have been avoided had the required process been followed.
The Department has since received a response from the school, which is currently under review by the Department’s Technical staff. It is anticipated that a formal response will be issued to the school in the near future.
Full details of the new CASWS, Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
