Nine Kildare projects to receive funding under climate action scheme
The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme aims to ‘support schools in addressing building condition needs while delivering climate action measures’
Announced yesterday by the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD (Fine Gael) revealed that €80 million will be allocated to projects across the country under the 2027 Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
And in the context of Kildare, approval has been granted for nine projects.
According to the Minister’s Department, the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme is ‘a key element’ of the Department’s programme of investment in the school estate.
The Department explained: “It supports schools in addressing building condition needs while delivering climate action measures that improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower operational costs.
“The projects approved under this tranche were assessed and prioritised by the department based on the individual needs of schools and the urgency of the works required.
“A particular focus this year was supporting projects in special schools.”
The latest investment represents the second tranche of approvals under the multi-annual Climate Action Summer Works Scheme, arising from applications submitted last year.
‘PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENTS’
Speaking further about the investment, Minister Naughton said: “This €80 million investment will support schools in Kildare and across the country to improve the quality, sustainability and energy efficiency of their buildings, creating better learning and working environments for students and staff.
“The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme supports practical improvements that make a real difference in schools, including upgrading windows and doors, enhancing insulation, modernising heating systems, installing LED lighting and carrying out other works that reduce energy use and carbon emissions.”
She continued: “This investment not only helps schools address important building needs but also contributes to our wider climate objectives by improving energy performance and reducing operating costs over time.
“A key strength of the scheme is its multi-annual approach; schools whose applications were not approved in an initial tranche remain eligible for consideration in future rounds, providing greater certainty and supporting long-term planning for climate action and energy efficiency projects.”
Minister Naughton concluded by asserting that the next tranche of approvals from the current pool of applications is expected to be announced in late 2027.
Anyone seeking the full details on the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme can do so by visiting gov.ie.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.