Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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247. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider supporting and promoting a nationwide ‘Power Hour’ campaign, encouraging schools across Ireland to turn off all classroom lights for one hour each day at 12 pm with the aim of reducing electricity usage, cutting carbon emissions, and raising awareness of energy conservation and sustainability among students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61640/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, through Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), currently has a range of initiatives to support energy efficiency in schools, as well as supporting raising awareness of energy conservation and sustainability among students.

The Public Sector Schools Pathfinder Programme is a capital retrofit programme co-funded between SEAI and the Department of Education and Youth. It provides capital supports to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise school buildings.

The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme is an energy management and advisory programme, which provides comprehensive supports and engagement, including training and the sharing of best practices, to help guide public sector bodies and schools in delivering energy efficiency improvements.

SEAI’s Education and Youth Programme is committed to educating students nationwide in sustainable energy and inspiring action on sustainability, working with schools across Ireland aims to raise awareness of energy conservation as part of a wider programme of sustainable energy education.

In 2024, SEAI delivered over 1,000 workshops to more than 22,500 students nationwide, across primary and post-primary schools. Workshops are age-appropriate, interactive, and delivered by experienced environmental educators — all free of charge to schools.

Beyond workshops, SEAI provides a wide range of curriculum-aligned resources for both primary and post-primary levels, including:

• Lesson plans, videos, PowerPoints, and worksheets
• Climate SOS storybooks, activity books, and posters