Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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404. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of bringing secondary school science labs up to date and modernised for the new senior cycle reforms. [37293/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 a number of categories which could include the provision or upgrade of science labs.

I recently announced details in respect of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) 2026 onwards. The Summer Works Scheme was renamed to reflect the strong climate focus and is now called the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. Supporting schools in the delivery of science subject provision is a priority for my department and this new scheme also provides an important opportunity for post-primary schools to undertake refurbishment, and improvement works to their science laboratories and will also include the provision of furniture and equipment for science rooms.

The CASWS has only recently closed for application’s and it is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time.

The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis with the first tranche of projects being announced in Q4 2025 for commencement in summer 2026. Under this scheme, approved applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons (as above) in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.

The estimated cost of bringing post-primary school science labs up to date and modernised for the new senior cycle reforms, will only become apparent following appraisal by my Department of the applications that have been received.