Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if emergency funding can be made available to schools to deal with urgent safety measures required at school gates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29725/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to ensure the availability of funding to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.

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. If the school in question is not affected to the extent that it would fall under the remit of an emergency as outlined above, the school also has the option to apply for funding under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).

The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.

The Summer Works Scheme plays an important role in the maintenance and upgrade of the condition of our schools. It provides important opportunities for enhancing the facilities in a school such as upgrading science laboratories and enhancing the energy efficiency of schools through upgrade works to roofs, windows, heating systems etc.

As part of it’s planning for 2024 and beyond, my 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 Summer Works Scheme 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.

Works that are not eligible for funding under the Summer Works Scheme are works such as painting or replacement of floor coverings etc. as this is work that should be addressed by routine maintenance using the school’s minor works grant.

While the option is open to the school to apply for EWS or SWS funding for external environment works it should be noted that if the area that the school intends to carry out works is outside of the school boundary then it may be an issue that pertains to the relevant Local Authority and the school should engage with the Local Authority in the first instance.