Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the supports available to schools to access and install solar panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22624/23]

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.

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.

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.