Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to detail any grants or schemes available to primary schools to support the employment of disabled staff members (details supplied). [28933/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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While there is no scheme available specifically to primary school to support the employment of disabled staff members my Department does provide support to schools to facilitate building works aimed at making the school more accessible via the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). As the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the EWS is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils/staff members 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.

The option is open to the school in question to submit an EWS application for universal accessibility works to the school, which can be made under category 4 of the EWS. To make an application schools must complete the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.