7 Offaly schools selected to undergo major energy and retrofit works

Independent TD Carol Nolan has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee that 7 schools in County Offaly are among the 28 schools selected to undergo major energy and decarbonisation retrofit works this summer under the REPowerEU Programme.

In a statement issued to Deputy Nolan, the minister’s department clarified that each of the seven schools underwent a detailed, staged assessment process with final decisions based on key criteria including technical feasibility, value for money, alignment with programme timelines and compatibility with the overall funding:

“As I understand it from the department’s statement to me the 7 schools, who are all in the process of construction works, will be given a deep retrofit to achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least B by installing heat pumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation.”

“I also understand that the fabric and airtightness of the schools will also be upgraded, and electric car chargers will be installed.”

“We all know the enormous burden that energy costs represent for so many schools who struggle to find the financial resources to keep classrooms heated, especially during the winter months, so anything that assists in reducing those costs in the future is to be welcomed.”

“Ultimately however Government must continue to work to reduce overall electricity costs for all of our schools, especially those that do not have adequate levels of insulation,” concluded Deputy Nolan.