Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the situation in a school (details supplied); and if she will commit to funding such repairs either via the ETB or directly from her Department in line with her predecessor's commitment to fully support the current school campus while plans for a new school build are progressing. [54377/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 is 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.

The school in question has submitted an EWS application pertaining to roof works. This application has been approved, although upon tender approval the school sought additional works.  As previously noted in recent correspondence to the school, only the works approved should have been included in the tender document and subsequently priced. 

Once this tender report has been received the EWS team will review and 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.

The option is open to the school in question to submit further EWS applications for the other issues mentioned by the Deputy and the EWS team will review these on a case by case basis.