Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 13 July 2023, if she will urgently respond to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in respect of essential emergency works; if she is aware of the potential need for the school to close during term time as a result of the delays in her Department approving the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29858/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the deputy refers submitted an Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application for funding for asbestos works which were originally approved in June 2022.

As there was another EWS project for Universal Access Works being completed at the school at that time, it was necessary for the works in question to be delayed until 2023.

In January 2023, the school submitted a significant revised scope of works. EWS operates on the basis of a scope of works focussed on addressing the emergency issue only. It was not until July 2023 that agreement was reached between the school and the Department on a revised scope of works which, unfortunately, meant it was too late to tender for the works to be completed in the summer of 2023. Subsequently, a tender report was submitted by the school and due to additional works being included, the tender report was firstly reviewed by the Department's Quantity Surveyor and also for discussion with the school’s design team.

The tender report has now been reviewed and approval has been given to place the contract and the school has been notified of same.