Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome all the guests joining us in the Seanad.

To return to more serious issues, I thank Senator Currie for raising this important matter about Coolmine Community School. I am taking this Commencement matter on the funding of roof works under the emergency works scheme on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I acknowledge Ms Patricia McPhillips, the former principal mentioned by the Senator, and the wonderful service she has given to her community and the impression she has left on many young people's lives.

From the script I have been given, I will outline some of the background. 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. 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 governing circular in this regard is Circular 0068/2020, which provides additional information on the scheme and may be a useful reference point for the school in question. Delivery of this scheme is managed on a devolved basis by the relevant school authority. As part of its digital strategy and streamlining arrangements, the Department's applications for emergency works can now be made via an online portal called Esinet.

The school in question, Coolmine Community School, submitted an application for funding under the EWS for significant works to a flat roof section of the school and replacement of high-level windows just under the roof area in order to address the issue of water ingress into the school building. The application was made in October 2023. As part of this EWS application it was noted that roof refurbishment works were completed on the flat roof area in question in 2016 and that there have been consistent issues with water ingress in this area since the completion of these roof works. Following an analysis by the technical area of the EWS team, it was determined that the works being sought under the EWS did not fall within the remit of the EWS and therefore, the application was rejected. It was recommended that the school’s board of management revert to the original design team, consultant and contractor, requesting clarification on why the current flat roof has failed so soon after completion of the aforementioned works.

In respect of the decision to reject the application, the Department notes that the option is open to the school to appeal this decision, via the online portal. The basis of the appeal should include additional relevant information that was not previously provided to the EWS team as part of the original application, in order to allow for an analysis of these additional factors to be considered in the appeal decision.I am sure the school's board of management has exhausted all avenues. I reiterate that this is the Department's process. It is based on the circular to which I refer.