John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to expand and add additional resources if needed to carry out energy efficient retrofits of schools nationally in view of the fact that a climate emergency has been declared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23037/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In the National Development Plan (2018-2027) €2.5bn is identified for the refurbishment and construction of schools. Part of this is intended for a deep energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008.

My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are currently involved in an energy efficiency retrofit pilot scheme for schools. Now in its third year, the aim of the pilot is to create a scalable model for energy efficiency retrofitting of schools. This is taking place in advance of the major programme of retrofits scheduled to commence in 2022, as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. Subject to resources, it is intended to expand the intake of schools in the pilot programme in the lead up to 2022.

This pilot commenced in 2017 when ten schools received energy retrofits. In 2018 six schools received retrofits and seventeen schools are set to benefit from this scheme in 2019.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the number of schools that are set to benefit from deep energy retrofits in 2019 will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23038/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a joint press release issued from from myself and Minister Bruton on the 29th March announcing the details of the 2019 deep energey retrofit programme. This included a list of the seventeen schools that have been identified for these works in 2019. This inititative is to be jointly funded with a €7 million budget from the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment.

This press release is available on my Departments Website at www.education.ie.