Minster for Education Norma Foley TD has today announced that 40 schools across five counties have been shortlisted for an energy retrofit programme as part of an €81 million EU funding package.

As part of Ireland's €240 million funding package secured through the REPowerEU Programme, aimed at reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels and enhancing the EU's energy security, a group of 40 schools spanning Kildare, Meath, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford are undergoing initial assessment. These schools are being considered for a comprehensive retrofit under the programme, which includes the installation of heat pumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems.

Additionally, upgrades to the schools' fabric and airtightness will be carried out, alongside the installation of electric car chargers. The goal is to achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least B for each selected school, facilitating a significant step towards energy efficiency and sustainability.

Minister Foley said: "I am pleased to announce that the Department of Education has been successful in obtaining such a significant level of funding through this REPowerEU programme. I welcome that forty schools have been shortlisted for inclusion in this Programme. The schools approved for an energy retrofit will enjoy significantly better energy performance and a more comfortable teaching and learning environment."

-- Advertisement --

The €81 million funding to the Department of Education represents the largest of the five investments included in Ireland’s funding allocation for its National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It will add to the number of schools being given deep retrofits under the existing school pathfinder decarbonisation and retrofit programme.

Minister Foley added: "It is really positive to see the results of the extensive collaboration between my department, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Commission in having this formally adopted through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan."

The schools selected to receive retrofitting funding were involved in the initial phase of the Schools Energy Inventory project, which included schools in Kildare, Meath, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford. This initiative was carried out with backing from the European Investment Bank.

Under the Schools Energy Inventory development, each school underwent a detailed survey conducted by a skilled construction expert using a specialised tool created by the Department of Education. This survey gathered comprehensive data, including detailed building areas, types of building materials, and specifics on lighting, heating, domestic hot water systems and more, totalling up to 130 data points per school.

This data is entered on a tablet computer onsite, imported into the department’s Geographical Information System (GIS), then processed into a relational database which performs numerous calculations to determine a School Energy and Carbon Estimated Rating (SEACER). The funding will facilitate completion of the energy survey of all schools in the 21 remaining counties.

This consolidated database has significant potential to assist with future prioritisation of decarbonisation and investments in the school estate, enabling identification and targeted development of future school sector energy and decarbonisation programmes that will reduce overall reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.

The additional funding allocated to the expanded pathfinder programme focuses on schools that can undergo renovations within a single school term or summer holiday period. Typically, these schools are of a size and scope that accommodate completion within this timeframe, such as primary schools with eight to ten classrooms and post-primary schools with similar floor areas.

While 40 schools spanning the five counties have been chosen for initial assessment, the final selection of schools for the programme will consider various factors. These include the specific renovation needs identified by design teams following thorough assessments, procurement logistics and adherence to budgetary and scheduling constraints.