Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
317. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider making it mandatory for boards of management to factor in water harvesting facilities for all new school builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47760/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is at the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings. This performance has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in design and specification. Furthermore it has been demonstrated that all primary schools designed and built in line with my Department's technical guidance documents can achieve an energy performance that is 2.3 times more efficient than international best practice and nearly five times more efficient than schools built in the late 1980s.
A number of test projects were completed in recent years to establish the opportunity and associated issues with the use of rainwater recovery systems in schools. Following the evaluation of these schemes, rain water harvesting systems are now provided in all new schools and large extensions where it is feasible to do so.
