Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Ceisteanna (318)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will send an inspector or official from the schools building unit to a school (details supplied) to view at first hand the work required to make the play area and footpaths around the school building safe; the reason only €26,000 was allocated to a project costing €96,000 and described by independent engineers as beyond urgent; if he considers the response to date as satisfactory given the health and safety issues involved for staff and pupils; and if he will provide the funding requested to complete all of the work urgently required and to protect the foundation of the school. [22903/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers applied under my Department's Emergency Works Grant Scheme (EWS) for works to the school grounds. However, the works requested do not fall within the scope of the EWS which is a limited fund for sudden and unforeseen emergencies that generally can be addressed by way of interim repairs.

The correct mechanism for works of this nature is my Department's Summer Works Scheme (SWS). Under this Scheme, schools are obliged to apply for the most urgently needed works at their school. Under the current SWS, the school in question applied for a mechanical upgrade.

Pending an SWS application, my Department offered the school funding to use on a prioritised basis to address the most urgent issues arising with its external environment. The school may also use its minor works grant to supplement the works.

As the school employed a Consultant to examine the works and provide a report with mandatory photographic evidence with its EWS application, I have no plans to ask an official to visit the site.