Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
349. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update in respect of a school (details supplied); the financial supports that are available outside of the schemes referenced; and if officials can include the school in the appropriate funding stream. [32193/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof work.
As the Deputy may be aware, 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 as the application did not fit within the remit of the Emergency Works Scheme as set out Circular Letter 0068/2020 . However, the option remains open to the school to appeal this decision. Appeals will only be considered if additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application is provided to the Departments Emergency Works Team.
The responsibility for identifying and applying for the most urgently required projects rests with the school authority and in the case of the school in question it should be noted that the school did not make an application for works under the new Climate Action Summer works scheme which opened for applications in May 2025.
As you may be aware there is an onus on all schools to keep their school’s maintained to a high standard, and where remediation/refurbishment works are required my Department provides funding mechanisms such as the Minor Works Grant, Emergency Works Scheme and the Summer Works Scheme to assist schools in maintaining the condition of school properties. The school in question did not apply to replace the roof of the school building via an application for Summer Works under the 2025 or 2020 schemes.
