Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has plans for schools to implement targeted energy efficiency programmes to cut wasteful usage of lighting, heating and electronic equipment, in view of the fact that existing voluntary and piecemeal projects show the potential to save 15 - 40% of schools' energy costs within two years, using models and guidance provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; his view on whether such energy efficiencies could save up to €15 million a year off the cost of capitation funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44212/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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For the past fifteen years the Planning and Building Unit of my Department have been using a process called the DART approach to develop sustainability and energy efficiency in educational buildings. This acronym focuses on four key areas, namely; Design, Awareness, Research and Technology. The policy is informed by the Building Unit Professional and Technical staff, driven by its technical guidance documents and updated by continued energy research and development.