Clare TD Tony Killeen has urged primary and post primary schools throughout the county to consider submitting applications for funding under a newly announced energy efficiency scheme.

The Department of Education this week announced details of the new scheme, which compliments the €80m Summer Works Scheme announced last week.

Mr Killeen said that energy bills would be dramatically cut as a result of a new €20m scheme to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in buildings.

"The main purpose of this scheme is to improve the energy efficiency of our older schools. Clare schools can now apply to the Department for 100% grant-aid to carry out energy-efficient works," said the TD.

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"The devolved energy efficiency scheme, which is being implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allows schools to apply for funding on a once-off basis to upgrade the fabric insulation in attics and the external cavity walls of their buildings," he said.

"These measures will make buildings more comfortable, cut energy costs and contribute to the Government's national targets of reducing carbon dioxide emissions."

Mr Killeen said schools built in recent times were now over twice as energy efficient than schools built to best international practice.

"The new scheme is significant when you consider that about 73pc of a school’s energy consumption is on heating and hot water, with the remainder on lighting and other small-power appliances.

"The work, which will not require a consultant, will be specific and straightforward and should be completed over a few days," he added.

For the past 12 years, the department's Planning and Building Unit has been using a process called the DART - Design, Awareness, Research and and Technology - to develop sustainability and energy efficiency in educational buildings.

(PR/JM)