Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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413. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available to primary and secondary schools to facilitate external bodies (details supplied) deliver educational content relating to sustainability and climate action. [15246/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Last year, my Department published its second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, ESD to 2030, aimed at ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills required to promote sustainable development.

In 2022, under this Strategy, my Department invited primary and post-primary schools to submit applications for funding for projects which supported the ESD Implementation Plan. Grants of between €500 and €5000 were made available to schools and organisations, with a total of €220,000 in funding allocated.

Another funding call will take place in May this year for organisations, while schools will be invited to apply for grants in September. All details relating to the funding call will be published on the gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/02952d-national-strategy-on-education-for-sustainable-development-in-irelan/#national-strategy.It will also be promoted through my Department’s quarterly ESD newsletter, which can be subscribed to at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/a1d6e-education-for-sustainable-development-newsletter/.

My Department has previously supported the work of the external body mentioned by the Deputy. The programme was promoted in previous editions of my Department’s quarterly ESD newsletter, and officials in my Department arranged for its resources to be made available on scoilnet.