Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the extent to which defective concrete blocks were used in the construction of school buildings across the State; the impact of the use of same on schools; the number of schools and the locations of schools which have reported or raised concerns about the presence of defective concrete blocks in their school buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8589/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) 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 EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.

It is open to any school that considers may have an emergency situation, to apply for funding under the EWS scheme. To make an application schools must complete the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.

To date the Department has received 16 EWS applications, all of which are from schools in Donegal, for testing and/or remedial works, all of which at at different stages of progression.