Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that may be available to help a school (details supplied) to improve its outdoor play areas by adding colourful picnic benches, high quality sensory sound instruments and some new playground markings and games; if a parents association can apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55953/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 for categories of works such as external works which could include the upgrade of a play area.

The CASWS closed to new applications on the 30th of June 2025 and my department have confirmed that no application was submitted by the school in question.

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

It should be noted that funding approved under the CASWS programme may only be used to upgrade an external area and would not be approved to purchase playground equipment.