Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
103. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if specific and targeted grants will be made available to primary, post-primary and third-level institutions for environment and energy upgrades; his views on whether such grants would assist educational institutions to become more energy efficient to meet their future energy requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21194/20]
View answerThere are a number of actions included in the Climate Action Plan specifically focused on schools and the third level sector to support energy upgrades and improve overall energy performance. The Programme for Government has also committed to further enhancing the schools energy upgrade programme. My Department provides funding for a number of supports and services to primary, post primary and third-level institutions that help improve their energy efficiency and deliver on their targets through the Schools and Higher Education Authority Pathfinder Programmes.
These programmes are co-funded by my Department, the Department of Education & Skills and the Higher Education Authority supporting energy efficiency retrofits in schools and third-level institutions. These programmes are testing energy retrofit approaches, building capacity and developing a scalable retrofit model for the sector. In the three years to the end of 2019, my Department provided funding of over €7 million towards the retrofit of 32 schools resulting in cumulative savings of 8 GWh and 1,600 tonnes of carbon. A further €3 million is allocated for 2020 with seven schools participating. In addition, funding of €2.75 million is allocated in the higher education sector over 2020-2021 with eight institutions participating.
My Department also funds SEAI's Energy in Education Programme which helps schools improve their energy efficiency, educates students and teachers in energy and sustainability, and promotes energy awareness through programmes such as One Good Idea. Up to the end of 2019, over 800 schools have participated in this programme.
In addition, there are a range of information and advisory services and grant supports funded by my Department and provided by the SEAI that the education sector can avail of. Further information is available at www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/
