Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to an application (details supplied); the actions she will take to expedite this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39009/25]

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 life safety system works.

The application in question is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received back from the technical team, the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the application (details supplied); the actions she will take to expedite this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39010/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) 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 CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works such as Climate Action and Roof Works. I can confirm my department has received an application under the CASWS for the school in question. However, it should be noted that applications will be assessed in accordance with availability of funding.

It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.

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.

Full details of the new CASWS, Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link;

gov.ie Summer Works Scheme