Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the deputy refers has submitted an application for funding for external environment works under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS).

I should explain firstly that the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) within my Department is 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 application for the school in question relates to an issue that is not deemed to fall within the criteria of an emergency situation and as a result, this application has been refused.

The Summer Works Scheme provides an opportunity for the school to progress this matter in the future when it next opens for new applications. Schools will be advised in due course in relation to same.