Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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857.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm the most appropriate funding source within her Department applicable to a school (details supplied) with an urgent need to replace a fence around the school grounds, which is unsafe, and no longer fit for purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33476/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Emergency Works application to which the Deputy refers sought funding for the replacement of fencing around the school grounds. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding for unforeseen emergencies. Issues such as fencing would generally fall under the area of general maintenance. The application was rejected as the EWS team deemed the application as not sudden and unforeseen. The school appealed the EWS decision and maintained the decision.

However, as this application is now closed I would propose for the school in question to submit a new application to the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) to address the issue outlined in this query in line with Circular 0068/2020, Appendix C.

As the Deputy 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, electrical works and external works which could include the provision or upgrade of fencing. The SWS was last opened for applications in 2019.

My 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.