Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way a primary school can apply for funding for attic and cavity wall insulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3524/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department introduced an energy efficiency scheme in 2009 to improve roof and cavity wall insulation levels in school buildings across the country. The scheme, which was implemented with the help of Sustainable Energy Ireland, allowed 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. The closing date for receipt of applications under this scheme was November 2009. In light of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of accommodation to meet rising demographic requirements over the next few years, limited resources are available for improvements and health and safety works in the existing school stock. This is in line with the Government's stated aim of prioritising the delivery of additional accommodation in developing areas. Therefore, my Department is not in a position to provide funding to schools to specifically carry out attic and wall insulation works.