Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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421. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if schools that were unsuccessful in obtaining climate action summer works scheme funding in the current round will be automatically considered in the next round; the date she expects to be in a position to announce those successful in the next round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65922/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, 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 that, 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.

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. In November 2025, the Minister announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.

Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.

It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.

Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the 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/.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding streams open to schools that had applications submitted for the climate action summer works scheme but were not included in the 2026 allocation and require works to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65923/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, 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 that, 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.

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. In November 2025, the Minister announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.

Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons 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 of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the 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/.

It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme will be announced in the latter half of 2026. However, if a school authority considers that the works that need to be carried out fall under the scope of the Emergency Works Scheme they may apply via the Esinet Portal.

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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423. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in County Louth that have sought assistance from the Financial Support Service Unit for each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65935/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The table below lists the schools that have requested financial assistance from the Financial Support Service Unit (FSSU) for the years 2020 to 2025 for Co. Louth.

The Department is constantly engaging with a number of schools in this respect. Schools that have contacted the Department have been referred to the FSSU.

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie.