Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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413. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline possible funding options for a secondary school in County Cork (details supplied) to carry out adaptation works to its sports hall to ensure disability accessibility. [15434/25]

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 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. The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation.

The option is open to the school in question to submit an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for any required works which the school considers would fall under the remit of the EWS. To make an application schools must complete the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.