Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
872. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be considered for inclusion in the energy retrofit pathfinder programme; if this programme will be expanded to allow access for more schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications established a jointly funded pathfinder programme with the SEAI, testing and demonstrating energy efficiency and decarbonisation retrofit approaches. This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the educational environment on an evidence based approach.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools’ programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools’ sector.
This programme continues to assist the Department to identify and test solutions for decarbonised energy efficiency solutions in our schools, to support the Climate Action Plan.
The longer-term outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland. The deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is due to be rolled out as included in the National Development Plan.
The general principles and approach to school selection 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 programme selection also seeks to enable various cross sections of school types and sizes, energy consumption profiles and different elements of construction type and heritage/ conservation requirements where specific learnings are being targeted.
The pathfinder programme is thus delivered on broad assessment in line with the above considerations and not on an invitation basis. Schools who wish to be included for consideration should ensure that they are meeting Energy Monitoring and Reporting requirements and can demonstrate a strong and holistic commitment to energy management practices through participation in the Energy in Education Programme.
The Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education assists schools to reduce energy consumption and on the benefits of sustainability, www.energyineducation.ie. Typically savings of between 5 to 10% are identified through low and no cost measures, while some schools participating have identified potential savings of up to 15 % or more.
