Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
178. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of primary and post-primary schools that have applied for a retrofitting grant; the number that have successfully received a grant for retrofitting under the community energy grant scheme and the public sector schools pathfinder programme on an annual basis since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41793/22]
View answerResponsibility for primary and post primary schools is a matter for the Department of Education.
However, my Department funds a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy supports to public bodies, including schools, to educate and enable them to improve their energy efficiency and decarbonise their activities.
The SEAI's Public Sector Schools Pathfinder Programme, co-funded with the Department of Education, has provided capital supports to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise school buildings. The general principles and approach to school selection for the Programme include schools meeting Energy Monitoring and Reporting requirements and demonstrating a strong and holistic commitment to energy management practices through participation in the Energy in Education Programme. The selection of schools is not done on application basis and selection is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
The number of schools supported under the Pathfinder Retrofit Programme is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
No. of Schools |
|
2017 |
10 |
|
2018 |
6 |
|
2019 |
16 |
|
2020 |
7 |
|
2021 |
9 |
|
2022 |
6 |
The Communities Energy Grant is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage. The Grant supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings. The SEAI has advised that given the nature of the Scheme the specific data sought regarding the number of primary and post-primary schools that have applied for a retrofitting grant under the Scheme is not held in a format that can be routinely recalled.
Further information on all the SEAI programmes and schemes can be accessed at www.seai.ie or by emailing oireachtas@seai.ie.
