Thirteen Laois schools awarded funding for sustainability projects

Thirteen primary and secondary schools in County Laois have been awarded funding to complete sustainability projects.

Over €29,006 has been allocated to eleven primary schools and two secondary schools who successfully proposed their 2025/2026 sustainability projects for funding under the Education for Sustainable Development Programme.

These projects proposed by the Laois schools include habitats for wildlife, wheelchair accessible-raised beds, poly tunnels, sensory gardens, rain water collection, outdoor classrooms, composting systems, bio-diversity signs, LED light bulbs and sensory lights, as well as 'The Students’ Voice App' for rating school meals and tackling food waste.

Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa and Scoil Bhríde both were awarded €2,500 each to develop their own sensory gardens. 

READ NEXT: Laois village waiting three years for public lighting

SN Fionntán Naofa was also awarded €2,500 for an outdoor classroom with a sensory garden, wildlife habitats, irrigation and composting system as well as biodiversity signs.

Ballinakill Mixed NS have been given €2,000 for creating habitats for wildlife and CPD for teachers. Rushall NS were also given funding of €2,500 for CPD for teachers as well as a polytunnel.

Clonenagh NS were awarded €1,006 for a water butt, raised beds and plants, irrigation system and biodiversity signs.

Kolbe Special School has been allocated €2,500 for the development of a rainwater-harvesting system and wheelchair-accessible raised beds.

Scoil Mhuire has been awarded €2,500 for an outdoor classroom and Scoil Mhuire Muigheo €2,500 for the development of a school garden.

St Francis Special School also has been given €2,500 for a rainwater collection system and CPD training, and Tobar an Léinn has been given €1,500 for a school garden with an irrigation system.

In terms of secondary schools, Mountmellick Community School was awarded €2,500 for their innovative 'The Students' Voice' app.' St Fergal's College was then given €2,000 for a greenhouse, poster campaign, LED light bulbs and sensor lights.

Laois TD Sean Fleming has welcomed the announcement of the funding, saying: "I want to compliment the students and their teachers in the schools for their great work in putting forward these projects for funding to the Department of Education.

"It shows a great commitment from these students to making the concept of sustainable development a practical reality in their schools and everyday life."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme