A total of 28 schools across Ireland will undergo major energy and decarbonisation retrofit works this summer following an €86 million investment in the Department for Education and Youth's REPowerEU Pathfinder Programme.

The 28 schools proceeding to construction will be given a deep retrofit to achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least B by installing heat pumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The fabric and airtightness of the schools will also be upgraded and electric car chargers will be installed. These upgrades will greatly enhance comfort and functionality in each school while contributing to a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy costs.

Twenty-four schools are being supported with associated electrical upgrade by ESB Networks to accommodate the new decarbonised heat pump systems.

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This significant milestone represents a major step forward in the Department of Education and Youth's efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of the school estate and advance Ireland's climate action targets, while delivering long-term benefits for students, staff and school communities.

Announcing the confirmation of the retrofitting works yesterday, Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD said: "This is a hugely positive development for each of the schools, making them more comfortable for their students and staff. It is also a clear sign of our commitment to delivering modern, climate-conscious school environments and making real progress on national climate goals.

"With an overall investment of €86 million, this is a significant investment in schools through the REPowerEU Programme. Despite its scale and complexity, it has achieved remarkable progress in a very short timeframe. From the appointment of design teams to reaching tender stage within just six months, the pace of delivery has been exceptional."

The REPowerEU Pathfinder Programme is an ambitious, fast-tracked initiative with accelerated timelines designed to meet the EU's targets and milestones required for funding compliance.

The list of schools progressing to the retrofit stage can be found here.