Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
292. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools where asbestos was found to be present, and the amount spent on the management and removal of asbestos in schools, between 2020 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68864/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should explain that applications relating to the provision of funding for issues relating to an existing school building, including for asbestos remediation, can fall under a number of different delivery mechanisms including, most frequently, the Emergency Works Scheme.
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 Department does not have a centralised record of schools where asbestos has been removed and the associated costings. It may be the case that the asbestos discovery and removal has been instigated by other works in a school.
Where asbestos is discovered it is dealt with in accordance with the appropriate guidelines.
Please note that it is open to a school to make an application for EWS funding for an emergency situation in their school. Schools can do this by completing the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.
