Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As you may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as roof works, window replacement, mechanical and electrical works, external works etc. and was last opened for applications in 2019.

The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.

As part of it’s planning for 2024 and beyond, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is 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 scheme 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.

The scheme also provides funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils on receipt of an enrolment application from such a pupil and/or for staff members (as set out in Appendix C of the relevant circular).

Applications for funding under the scheme must serve one or both of these purposes and meet the criteria for funding as set out in the relevant circular, 0068/2020, and its appendices. All relevant and supporting information in relation to such an Emergency Works Grant Scheme application must be provided in order to support a claim for emergency grant aid.