Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
113. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered introducing a mechanism to cover the cost of a consultant’s examination in advance of EWS support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29182/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
With regards to issues to the schools condition, it should be noted that maintenance of the school building is an operational issue and is a matter for the school management. It would not be appropriate for the EWS area to fund reports to ascertain issues that can be used to then apply to the same area for approval of the funding to remediate the issues identified in the aforementioned report. There are currently no plans to change the approach in this regard.
