498. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an emergency funding applications (details supplied) for the provision of a wastewater treatment system; the date on which the application was received by her Department; the reason the application remains listed as "referred to technical"; the stage of assessment that has been reached; and when a decision is expected to issue. [64469/26]

As the Deputy maybe 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.

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.

Pertaining to application 7217, this application has been approved and the project is currently with the school to progress further.