15. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on this year’s climate action summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54102/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Before I ask my final question before the summer recess, I thank the Minister and Minister of State for all of their engagement throughout the year, and I wish them both a very productive summer recess. With my better half being a Galway woman, I had also better wish the Minister the best of luck for Sunday. I hope the Minister of State next to her will soon forgive Galway for what its team did to his in the semi-final. Will the Minister give me an update on the climate action summer works scheme and make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.60

I thank the Minister for that. On her final point, I will raise one school to begin with. Presentation Primary School in Thurles originally applied in 2016 for works to its car park and school yard in terms of tarring, relining, safer access and drop-off zones. Cars have to yield going in and out because there is only one space for one car, but it has the land to increase the width of the entrance and reline it. There is also a bus pulling up in the yard every day for the early intervention class. Generally, six teachers have to go out into the yard every day to direct traffic in the morning and evening, which obviously is not acceptable. The school did not get approval in 2016 but has submitted an application under the current scheme. It has not been approved for this summer, though. I brought this matter to the attention of the Department previously, and I would like to bring it to the attention of the Minister now so that consideration could be given to the Presentation Primary School in Thurles come this autumn when we are looking at the summer 2027 works.

Sentiment score: 0.09

The Minister mentioned labs, which is fantastic because that is my next point. St. Mary's Secondary School in Nenagh has been approved for its science labs. The tender has been done and the proposed contractor is to be appointed. The school sent its information to the Department on 10 June and followed up on 29 June. Essentially, the school will be somewhat of a building site certainly up until Christmas, but the sooner we can get it started, the better because it has the funding and approval. It just needs to get the approval to appoint the contractor and get going. Although it will have to manage getting the work done on the labs at the start of the academic year, from September to Christmas, the sooner we can get going this summer, the less it will impact on the academic year at the far end of it. It is St. Mary's Secondary School in Nenagh. I have raised it with the Department, but if the Minister could follow it up as well, it would be fantastic. It is great to get the money; we just want to make sure that the project gets going as quickly as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.39