288. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the urgent funding options that are available or are being considered to address the roofing defects in a primary school (details supplied) in county Clare; if she will confirm whether the roof repairs are currently on the relevant remedial works list; and if so, the expected timeline for assessment and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66771/26]

I refer to your recent representation on of Boston National School in relation to funding under the Emergency Works Scheme.

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.

The school in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works. As previously noted, the EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown. Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.

With regards to the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme, 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.

My Department can confirm a CASWS application for roof works was received from the school, however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche announced for 2026. This application is still valid and 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 announced in October 2026.