The Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder programme has helped transform educational institutions across the country, an initial progress report has confirmed.

The cutting edge programme demonstrates the approach to deep retrofit in the schools' sector, testing energy efficiency solutions and renewable heat technology.

Feedback was offered on one of the 2021 pathfinder schools Scoil Mhuire Boys National School in Monaghan, with the project being described as a "resounding success".

The completed project has resulted in the building BER value improving from a C Rating to a B1 rating, which greatly improves the school's energy performance. The building energy rating has shown a building carbon emission reduction of approximately 50% after works.

The school reopened on 30 August as planned and the project was completed on budget.

Education Minister Norma Foley said: "The positive feedback from Scoil Mhuire is very welcome and the learnings from this project and the other continuing pathfinder projects is informing a much larger national schools' programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan and the delivery of the new Climate Action Plan."

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Environment Minister Eamon Ryan commented: "I am heartened to hear such positive results and feedback from the Scoil Mhuire Boys National School. The energy upgrades carried out will not only deliver significant energy savings and emission reductions for your school but will make it a much warmer, healthier place to learn, thrive and teach in. The Pathfinder Programme is also continuously developing, so we can roll these types of upgrades out on a much larger scale to more schools in the coming years."

School Principal Colm Mac Cinna added: "The scheme was a resounding success for us as a school. This work has transformed our school building. All the exterior work makes it look like new again. We can now enjoy a comfortable internal environment. We are delighted with the outcomes and are looking forward to monitoring our energy consumption.

"On behalf of the Scoil Mhuire school community, I wish to thank An Roinn Oideachais, SEAI and all involved in this scheme for transforming our school. We will be forever grateful for all that has been done."

The pathfinder programme has retrofitted 41 schools across Ireland to date with work on an additional nine schools added in 2021 underway. 2022 sees six additional schools undergoing deep retrofit to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating systems. Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.

The 2022 pathfinder is jointly funded with a €28 million budget from the Department of Education and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Planning and Building Unit in the Department of Education, with support from Limerick Clare ETB.