Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to expand the summer programme to allow schools to apply for upgrade works to playgrounds, pitches and AstroTurf pitches that may need repair and or upgrading; the timeframe on any such grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25213/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 new CASWS is now open for applications and will remain open until 5.30 p.m. 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: www.gov.ie/en/service/3230e1-summer-works-scheme/