Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her position regarding the number of schools in Wicklow that have completed solar panel projects under the free school solar scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25843/24]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her position regarding the number of schools in County Wicklow that have initiated applications for solar panel funding under the free national roll-out but have not yet had works commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25844/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.

The first phase of Schools PV Programme was launched on 23^rd November 2023.

It will provide eligible schools with a 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.

Since the launch of the first phase of the Schools PV Programme late last year, approvals have been provided to more than 1,100 schools and we are seeing the impacts today as PV panels are being installed on school roofs around the country.

There has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from schools. It offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs.

As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.

There has been a strong uptake from schools in Co Wicklow, with 93% of schools in Wicklow, 100 in total, submitting expressions of interest in the first phase of the scheme.

To date, 89% of those schools, 89 in total, have been approved to seek tenders. 66% of those schools, or 59 schools, who have submitted tenders have been approved to award a contract and 20% of those, or 12 schools, have confirmed to date they already have had their PV installed with the remaining schools at various stages of the process.

The Department of Education has developed guidance documentation for the scheme which can be found on our website at .