Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that funding under the emergency works scheme was refused for urgent repairs to the playground of a school (details supplied) given recent injuries to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22022/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for an external environments project.

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 the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).

The school's EWS application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS and were more appropriate to an SWS project. However, the option remains open to the school to appeal this decision. Appeals will only be considered if additional relevant information is supplied that was not provided as part of the original application.

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 upgrade of play areas. I recently announced details in respect of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme 2026 onwards, the details of which can be found at the below link:

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-mcentee-opens-application-process-for-new-climate-action-summer-works-scheme/