Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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526. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the extent to which muscovite mica was used in the construction of school buildings, the impact of the use of defective building materials containing muscovite mica on schools; if she will provide details on the number of schools and their locations of schools that have reported or raised concerns regarding mica defective building materials in school building materials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29286/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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527. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance, supports and remedies available from her Department for schools with buildings that are affected by the use of defective building materials containing muscovite mica; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29287/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.

As the deputy maybe aware, if a school suspects the presence of mica in the building materials, the school should submit an Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application for funding to conduct testing in the first instance.

If the tests confirm the presence of mica, the should should then employ a consultant to complete an EWS application for funding to remediate the problem.

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 EWS in intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.

My Department is aware of concerns relating to the presence of mica in some school buildings. The EWS team is currently working on a programme approach to support the 16 schools, all of which are based in Donegal, which have engaged with the EWS area in respect of issues associated with mica and will continue to engage with these schools throughout the process.