Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of a school’s multiple applications (details supplied) under the emergency works scheme; when decisions will be issued in each case as the works are urgently needed by the school and its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66859/25]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) 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.

With regards to application 6177, Special Needs Facilities/ Universal Access, the school in question were advised to submit a further documentation to meet the criteria of EWS category Special Need Facilities/ Universal Access. Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate.

With regards to application 6065, fabric defects, the school's EWS application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS. However, the application in question 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.

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