Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

470. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the approval of projects under the summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55137/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

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 and as outlined in the circular the first tranche of projects are due to be 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:

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/