Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
137. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will request the Health and Safety Authority and the local fire chief to provide a comprehensive report to her Department on the condition of each prefab used by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40609/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy is under the patronage of Kilkenny and Carlow Education & Training Board (KCETB) who are the appropriate authority for the management and operation of the school infrastructure.
As the Deputy may be aware, my department operates an Emergency Works scheme (EWS) in order 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.
I can also confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the school authority in question.
As the Deputy will be aware, my department published the NDP (National Development Plan) Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sector. The department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities. The longer-term accommodation requirements of the school in question will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with KCETB.
