Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to advise exactly when and how schools can apply for solar panels on their schools as part of the commitment the Government gave in September 2022 to put solar on all schools for free; when he expects the first solar panels to be put on the first schools under the commitment made almost eight months ago in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22729/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 included the announcement for the provision of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an output of 6kW for all schools. This funding will be made available from the Climate Action Fund at the discretion of the Minister for the Environment.

This significant solar PV programme, will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings. This programme is a joint venture between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Department of Education (DoE), and will form part of the Government response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate action targets for the school sector.

As part of the preparation for the roll out of the national programme, a key first step was to establish the level of existing PV installations across the overall school estate. I can advise, that the survey in respect of the number of solar PV panels that are installed in schools across the country is now complete. The survey indicates that approximately 10% of post-primary schools and 5% of primary schools already have solar PV panels installed.

Schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents, have been achieving A3 Building Energy Ratings since 2009, with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by the current Building Regulations. In addition, 10% of primary energy is provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.

In addition to this, under the jointly funded pathfinder programme, established by the Department of Education and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 48 school projects across Ireland have undergone significant decarbonisation upgrades to bring the Building Energy Rating (BER) of their schools up to a B rating, through deep retrofitting of the schools and installation of low carbon heating solutions. There are also a further 16 schools, currently at various stages of this retrofitting progress.

As part of commitments under the Government’s Climate Action Plan, my Department will complete its decarbonisation pathway roadmap, to meet 2030 and 2050 targets for the schools sector by the end of this year.

In respect of the roll out of the solar PV programme, I can advise that my Department officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this scheme. In parallel, the Department is developing the strategic management requirements for provision of a multi annual solar PV delivery programme for primary and post primary schools.

The solar panel programme for schools is detailed in the published Climate Action Plan 2023, to be developed with roll out of the multi-annual delivery programme commencing in late 2023.

I will also be announcing in due course, an enhanced climate action Summer Works Scheme programme, to enable the progression of climate action specific initiatives which will assist with the rollout of smaller scale energy retrofit works in schools.

The Summer Works Scheme programme has for many years featured categories of works that assist in improving energy reduction in schools such as heating system upgrades, roof insulation upgrades, high performance window upgrades and electrical upgrades.