Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
95. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the emergency works grant being provided for a school (details supplied), given the state of the roof there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35762/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy maybe aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme 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 Emergency Works Scheme operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to address the emergency situation. The scheme is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under a Summer Works Scheme.
The Summer Works Scheme is a scheme that allows schools to apply for upgrade and proactive maintenance works required to their buildings and is designed to provide a comprehensive solution to issues that schools encounter, including those which have been addressed on an interim basis, under the Emergency Works Scheme.
The school to which the Deputy refers, Scoil na Mainstreach, submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works.
This application was unsuccessful as the works sought do not fall under the remit of the EWS as outlined in Circular 0068/2020. The EWS does not provide for upgrades/ refurbishments or future proofing.
This decision has been communicated to the school. The option remains open to the school to appeal this decision. Appeals will be considered if additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application is submitted to the Departments EWS team.
To date the school in question have not appealed this decision. An official from the Emergency Works team has contacted the school recently and advised on the appeals process.
The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme is the appropriate funding mechanism for upgrade works, including upgrades to roofs. In this regard, Scoil na Mainstreach did not apply for any summer works funding under the 2020 or 2025 Summer Works Scheme.
