Róisín Shortall
Ceist:195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education when schools in Tipperary will be eligible to apply for the solar schools programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 February 2024
Ceisteanna (195)
Freagraí scríofa
Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Ossian Smyth launched the first phase of the Schools PV Programme in November 2023.
The programme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels and includes connection to the grid and a monitoring system and display screen.
The Schools PV Programme is a devolved programme based on programme guidance prepared by the Department of Education and is funded from the Climate Action Fund.
The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country.
Schools in the following areas have been invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
The data gathered during the first phase will allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.
A phased delivery approach will also assist in the operational management of the programme, noting that this is just one aspect of our large and complex school building programme.
The phasing of the programme will ensure adequate installation resources are available throughout all phases of the programme.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education initiatives.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by 2024.
The first phase of the programme is currently ongoing with the current target date of 30th May 2024 for completion of phase 1 PV installations.
It has not yet been decided which counties will be included in the subsequent phases however it is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.