Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are grants available, outside of minor works grants, for schools to install accessible playgrounds on their site to encourage learning through play for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16888/25]

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are grants available, outside of minor works grants, for schools to install accessible playgrounds on their site to encourage learning through play for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16887/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 492 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced details in respect of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) 2026 onwards. The purpose of the CASWS is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories which could include the provision or upgrade of play areas, the details of my announcement can be found at the below link:

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ae936-minister-mcentee-announces-opening-of-national-consultation-on-post-primary-guidance/.

The new CASWS will open for applications in early May 2025 and all applications must be received by my department by 5.30pm on the 30th of June 2025 when the applications window will close. Full details of the new CASWS, Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link:

gov.ie - Summer Works Scheme at www.gov.ie/en/service/3230e1-summer-works-scheme/.