Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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211. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the amount of the €450,000 total Education for Sustainable Development Fund available for schools that has been drawn down; and the amount of the fund that is remaining for schools to apply for. [53561/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that a funding call for recognised primary and post primary schools for funding for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects is currently open until 17th October 2025.

There is a total fund of €450,000 available and individual schools can apply for funding of up to €2,500 for ESD projects in accordance with the criteria set out in the application form which is available on our ESD to 2030 webpage here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/national-strategy-on-education-for-sustainable-development-in-ireland/#esd-to-2030-funding

None of this funding has been drawn down to date. The total fund of €450,000 is available under this call. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in due course after the closing date and payments will be made to successful applicants before the end of the year.

This is a competitive process and depending on the level of applications received, not all applications may be successful, subject to the €450,000 funding ceiling.

Applications will be assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the application form. Priority will be given to projects that support implementation of our ESD to 2030 strategy and in particular, projects that include engagement with “Local Community Level Action” and/or an element of Teacher Professional Learning, in accordance with our strategic priorities. Other criteria apply and applications will be considered under the various criteria as set out in the application form.

Details of previous funding granted to schools and to organisations under ESD to 2030 is available on the ESD to 2030 webpage at the link above.