I wish the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach a happy St. Gobnait's day. This is a hugely important day in his home territory, and it is important to recognise that. I thank Deputy Hearne for raising the matter of the Gaelscoil in Finglas. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Naughton. The purpose of the Department's emergency works scheme is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies or to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with additional needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works for those schools that are in need of it 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 which, if not corrected, would prevent a school or a part thereof from opening. The scheme operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to address an emergency situation. It is intended to remedy emergency situations and usually provides interim measures until permanent solutions can be delivered under the summer works scheme, which deals with upgrade works to schools. In the case of outdoor play areas, this usually includes repairs to existing play areas. Each application is assessed on its merits. In the case of the school to which Deputy Hearne refers, there is no emergency works application outstanding with the Department. The emergency works scheme is open to primary and post-primary schools that have permanent recognition and that are in non-rented accommodation. In order to make applications, schools must complete the online emergency works application form that is available on the Department's system. As Deputy Hearne will be aware, details in respect of the climate action summer works scheme for 2026 and onwards were also announced in 2025. The purpose of this scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disruption. The scheme will operate on a multi-annual basis. Deputy Hearne made a point about children participating in the entire curriculum. That is very important. I note the points he made regarding the old building and the fact that the Gaelscoil is operating in it. I have no doubt about the excellent work being done there by the school community. We thank them for the work they do. Deputy Hearne also mentioned that the roof of the PE hall is leaking. We have experienced, particularly since October, a huge amount of rainfall. It was one of the wettest winters in quite some time. I do not have the specifics regarding the roof and the damage that has been done to it but I urge the school to engage with the Department in relation to emergency works because it is important that all of the school building is accessible. The school is there to provide education across academia along with PE and so forth. It is important that an application is made in that regard. I note the points the Deputy has made on the ongoing issue of a new school building. I will take those points back but, in the first instance, if there are works that can be done immediately, I encourage the Deputy and the school authorities to engage with the Department to see if progress can be made.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I thank the Deputy for the points he has made. Record investment is going into the Department of education's capital programme for developments right across the country. Over the past number of years, record investment has been made in the building stock across the system. We recently announced over €7.5 billion in school investment through the national development plan. Thousands of schools across the country have seen investment in upgrading their facilities. I will make the point that we are acutely aware that investment in education, whether on the capital side or current, pays dividends as regards the long-term well-being of society. The more we invest in education, the better the outcomes for children into adulthood. We have seen that in Irish society over 100 years. I ask that the Gaelscoil engage with the Department in relation to the immediate issues to see if there is a pathway forward to deal with them through the Department's emergency works programme. I pay tribute to all of those working on the capital programme within the Department of education to make sure we are targeting the schools that really need investment. A lot of that has been laid out over the past while and a lot more will be done. At the end of the day, in relation to the school the Deputy raised this morning and the issues regarding a leaking roof, it is important the school engage with the Department and make an application. That will be adjudicated on in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. We will also come back to the Deputy on the other issue of the permanent school building for that Gaelscoil in Finglas. I again thank him for the opportunity to address this issue this morning. I will relay his comments to the Department and the Minister, Deputy Naughton.

Sentiment score: 0.14