560. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to strongly consider an emergency works scheme appeal by a school (details supplied) to repair hazardous and unsafe roofing which is in need of repair from the perspective of health and safety. [65078/26]

The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for a roof project.

The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. 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 the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).

The school's EWS application was refused upon appeal, on the basis that works do not fall under the remit of the EWS as set out in circular letter 0068/2020. As previously noted the EWS provides for interim works until a more permanent solution can be found under the SWS.

The school have subsequently been advised to revise the works to minimum scope only and resubmit a new application.