Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and categories of schools, at both primary and second level, identified by her Department as requiring emergency works; the criteria used to determine funding allocations in that regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6359/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special educational needs.

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.

Owing to the sudden and unforeseen nature of the EWS it is not possible to identify in advance, the schools that will require works under the EWS. In a similar way there is not a specific amount of funding that is allocated in this regard, each application is examined on a case by case basis.