Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1160: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to ensure the maximum use of the top class standard designs for primary schools that have been developed to deliver new buildings in the fastest timeframe possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29418/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Professional and Technical staff in my Department continuously review and update the design of school buildings. A suite of technical guidance documents is available on my Department's website to assist external design teams in best practice in the design and development of projects and to encourage a complete design team approach from project conception to completion.

My Department has developed Generic Repeat Designs and flexible design templates to reduce the cost, speed up the delivery of new schools particularly in developing areas and ensure that the most up to date technologies are used. Innovative methods, using appropriate off site construction technologies, have been employed to provide new school buildings in developing areas in very short timeframes.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to prioritise energy efficiency and eco design in new school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29419/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is at the forefront of design with respect to energy efficiency in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.

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

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 and nearly five times more efficient than schools built in the late 1980s.

My Department's policy is supported by a strong research programme with over thirty research projects at various stages currently in hand.

A hybrid approach is taken with respect to low energy design in schools based on maximising natural resources and energy efficient technologies. Schools are positioned to maximise gain from the sun during the day for passive solar heating and natural daylight. Passive solar design saves 20% of the early morning heating period and adequate natural daylight when combined with automated lighting systems in the classrooms can eliminate the need for electrical light for up to 80% of the schools teaching hours.

Energy efficient boilers and individual room temperature controls combined with a strong emphasis on air tight testing and high insulation levels minimise heat requirements. Water usage is minimised through automatic shut off taps and dual flush toilets, while local water blending valves are provided to prevent scalding and rain water recovery is provided.

My Department is conducting a demonstration and research project to evaluate the suitable application and performance and compatibility of biomass systems with school heating requirements in terms of heating demand characteristics, controls, reliability, fuel storage and maintenance and operation. This project comprises the design, installation and monitoring of Biomass heating systems in Primary and Post Primary Schools. Fifteen boiler systems are presently installed.

The project also includes the development of a good practice guide for the design and installation of biomass heating systems in schools specifically aimed at school design teams and managers and will lead to the development of a suite of case studies on the selected projects.

Furthermore, in order to improve energy efficiency in existing schools I have introduced a new €20 million scheme to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. 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. My Department is providing 100pc grant-aid for these projects which can be carried out over the summer months, weekends or other times when the schools are closed.

To expedite claims and streamline the application process for the scheme, an on-line application form, frequently asked questions and other guidance documents for schools are on www.energyeducation.ie.