Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will try to determine what exactly the Department means by a natural ventilation system. Work is ongoing on a decarbonisation option for new schools, with a focus on the standard of required design criteria and specification to achieve a net-zero-energy school building and on establishing the trajectory for the integration of suitable solutions on a phased basis in a risk-controlled manner via the credible cost-effective transition to zero-carbon school buildings while ensuring no delays to school accommodation delivery. The Senator mentioned air-to-water, and while I am not an expert on the matter, I am familiar with it. It is certainly a way forward for most buildings, including public buildings, and it has helped many houses that otherwise had high energy bills. Moreover, from the point of view of sustainability and the environment, it seems to tick all the boxes.

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to outline the Department's position on the building projects for Ennistymon community school and Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, as well as on climate action in new-build schools. I will bring her views to the attention of the Minister.