Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 649: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way a school (details supplied) in County Dublin can obtain funding for the installation of solar panels in the course of refurbishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26933/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the fire damage at the school to which the Deputy refers, I understand the school authorities are pursuing the refurbishment with their Insurance Company and my Department has no involvement in grant-aiding same.

The Department's Technical Guidance Documents which sets the benchmark for low energy design in schools are clearly focused on energy efficiency and are based on solid energy research projects.

Solar power for hot water generation is not considered an optimum design solution for Primary schools due to the typical school operation profile (closed during summer months, mid terms etc, short days and closed at weekend), and the minimum and irregular hot water demand which is reduced to minimum by blended percussion spray taps.

It has been demonstrated that all Primary Schools designed and built in line with the above policy and the technical guidance documents can have an energy performance that is 2.3 times more efficient than International best practice.

The performance of my Department in the area of low energy design has been recognised at both National and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and just recently by the Taoiseach's Public Service Excellence Awards held in Dublin Castle Conference Centre on Friday, 18th April 2008.