Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the application for fire safety works at a sports complex (details supplied). [62624/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department currently has no application for fire safety works at the sports complex referred to by the deputy which is located on the grounds of the local community school.

It would be open for the school authority to apply under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) - the purpose of which 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 EWS is open to primary and post primary schools with permanent recognition and in non-rented accommodation. To make an application schools must complete the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.

My department currently provides an annual grant to the local community school to allow access to this sports complex. This grant has been paid to the school for the last 10 years and is paid directly to the school authority.

The school obtained a condition assessment of the sports complex as part of an application for dormant funding in 2025 but their application was unsuccessful.

It would also be open to the management of the sports complex to apply to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for a capital grant. There would be two programmes for funding available through this department as follows:

LSSIF:

The Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).

CSFF:

The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment.

The Programme’s objectives are to:

• Assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.
• Prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities.
• Increase female participation in sport.
• Encourage the sharing of sports facilities.

Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, NGBs, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.