Eight schools in Kildare shortlisted for €81 million EU funding package

Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced that eight schools in Kildare have been shortlisted for an energy retrofit programme as part of an €81 million EU funding package.

The €81 million is part of a package of funding totalling €240 million which Ireland has secured under the REPowerEU Programme. REPowerEU is the EU’s plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, boost the independence and security of the Union’s energy supply and accelerate the green transition. 

Kildare Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has welcomed the announcement and said: “I know that my party colleague, Minister Foley, and her Department have put a lot of work into securing this significant level of funding through the programme.

“The approved schools from this shortlist will, through the programme, enjoy significantly better energy performance and a more comfortable teaching and learning environment.

The eight Kildare schools will be given a deep retrofit to achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least B by installing heatpumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation. The fabric and airtightness of the schools will also be upgraded and electric car chargers will be installed. 

Senator O'Loughlin added, “I am assured that final decisions on schools to be included in the programme from this shortlist will take account of a range of factors, including the scope of works required in the individual school following detailed assessment by design teams, procurement considerations, and the need to remain within both budgetary and time parameters.”

List of County Kildare schools included in the Initial Assessment Phase of the RePowerEU Extended Pathfinder Programme