Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
249. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assistance available to primary schools under the green agenda initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15247/21]
View answerMy Department supports a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of primary schools in sustainable development.
The An Taisce Green Schools initiative (www.greenschoolsireland.org) is a whole-school programme and award scheme comprising seven steps and which takes a thematic approach to environmental education. Key themes include Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, and Biodiversity. Currently, approximately 4,000 primary, secondary and special schools in Ireland are participating in the programme. Schools are supported by Green Schools and Local Authority staff, who actively engage with schools to support implementation of the seven steps. There are extensive information resources available, including teacher and student training seminars and workshops, all of which have moved online during on-going COVID-19 restrictions. The programme allows for national and international best practice exchange, learning opportunities and conferences, as well as Green Schools awards and specialist training and ambassador programmes. It is supported by a number of Government Departments, Agencies and corporate funders, including funding of €145,000 in 2020 from my own Department.
To focus on the important issue of Climate Change, my Department supported the development of the National Climate Change Action and Awareness Programme (NCCAAP) and provided funding of €222,000 towards this programme in 2020. This school based Programme is delivered by An Taisce to raise awareness of climate change among young people. Key elements of the NCCAAP include teacher training courses, the development of teacher resources, engagement events, and an annual schools Climate Action week.
An Taisce Green-Schools also deliver the SEAI's Schools Energy Workshop programme. These workshops are directly linked to the curricula and are a great way to inform and involve pupils and teachers in ways to save energy and help schools to achieve the Energy Green Flag award. Workshops are delivered free of charge and involve inquiry based learning through experiments, videos, games and talks. There are specific workshops for primary teachers.
