Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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184. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant aid available for schools to improve their energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56972/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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As set out in the recently published Climate Action Plan, the public sector has been set ambitious 2030 targets of 50% energy efficiency improvement (increased from 33% by 2020) and 51% emissions reduction. To support the achievement of these targets, my Department provides a range of supports via the SEAI which includes:  - the SEAI Energy Academy which provides online training that is free to access;

- the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme which provides support and engagement to guide public sector bodies and schools in delivering energy efficiency improvements, reducing energy costs and achieving their energy targets;

- the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme which, in partnership with the Department of Education, provides capital supports to improve the energy efficiency and decarbonisation of school buildings; 

- the Communities Energy Grant which provides grant funding to community-based partnerships for a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures; and

- the Project Assistance Grants which help fund feasibility studies and business cases for energy performance improvements.

Further information is available on the SEAI website at the following link: www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/ and at the following link which is dedicated to schools: www.seai.ie/community-energy/schools/save-energy-at-school/ .