Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the climate action summer works application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66336/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My Department can confirm that St Patrick’s College Cork, roll number 62730N, has been approved for a Category 5: Climate Action and Science Labs (incl. Gas Works) project under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) 2025.

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/

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding emergency works application submitted by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66337/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy submitted a number of applications for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for fabric defect works and Special Needs Facilities/ Universal Access.

With regards to application 6065, fabric defects, this application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS remit. The school appealed this decision 17 October 2025 and the application is currently being reviewed by the Department of Education’s EWS team under the appeals process. Once this review process is complete the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate.

Pertaining to the application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for Special Need Facilities/ Universal Access works. This application is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received back from the technical team, the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate.

With both applications, the EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocated for free sanitary products for secondary schools since the launch in 2022; to list the schools that have availed of the scheme in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66346/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available to schools (details supplied) to help them address the issue of period poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66347/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.

The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes the commitment to provide free period products in schools to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty. My department is working to advance delivery on this issue, including considering any necessary budgetary allocation.

Arising from the work of the inter-departmental group led by the Department of Health,the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a procurement framework that includes period products across Governments departments and other bodies. During development of this Framework, at the request of my department, it was arranged that it could be accessed by any primary or post-primary school. The Framework is available at OGP (buyerzone.gov.ie). The framework arrangements offer value for money and a high-quality service.

My department does not have a list of schools that have availed of these products to date as schools access the Framework directly via the OGP.

It may also be helpful to note that the Schools Procurement Unit, the central support resource providing guidance and support to schools on procurement related issues, can be contacted by email at procurementsupport@spu.ie to assist with information on the Framework and how to engage with it.

My department will continue to participate in the work of the inter-departmental group and work to ensure the Programme for Government commitment is progressed.