Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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631. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if private schools are being considered for inclusion under future funding rounds in relation to the roll out of free solar panels for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11346/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Schools PV Programme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.

The Schools PV Programme is funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools’ sector

Since the launch of the programme in November 2023, more than 3,300 schools have progressed to tender stage for the installation of PV panels with more than 1,095 installations confirmed as completed so far.

The Department’s overall approach in relation to projects delivered under the school building programme is to prioritise the needs of primary and post primary schools in the Free Scheme. This approach reflects the fact that fee-charging schools have an additional source of income that is not available to schools in the Free Education Scheme.

In line with the above, Participation in this Programme is only available to recognised schools in the free education scheme.

There are currently no plans to extend this scheme to fee paying schools.