Seven Offaly schools to undergo major energy retrofit this summer

Seven Offaly schools are set to undergo major energy and decarbonisation retrofit works this summer under the REPowerEU Programme, Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD has today (June 9) confirmed.

Geashill NS, The Sacred Heart, Mercy Primary, Shinrone Mixed NS, Scoil Bhride, St Cynocs, and Edenderry Boys National School (St Patricks) have all been selected for the scheme.

This significant milestone represents a major step forward in the Department of Education and Youth’s efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of the school estate and advance Ireland’s climate action targets, while delivering long-term benefits for students, staff, and school communities.

The schools proceeding to construction 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.

The fabric and airtightness of the schools will also be upgraded and electric car chargers will be installed. These upgrades will greatly enhance comfort and functionality in each school while contributing to a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy costs.

"This is a hugely positive development for each of the schools, making them more comfortable for their students and staff," said Minister McEntee It is also a clear sign of our commitment to delivering modern, climate-conscious school environments and making real progress on national climate goals.

“With an overall investment of €86 million, this is a significant investment in schools through the REPowerEU Programme. Despite its scale and complexity, it has achieved remarkable progress in a very short timeframe. From the appointment of design teams to reaching tender stage within just six months, the pace of delivery has been exceptional.

The REPowerEU programme is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

REPowerEU is the EU’s plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels following the war in Ukraine, boost the independence and security of the Union’s energy supply and accelerate the green transition.

It aims to fast forward the clean transition and joining forces to achieve a more resilient energy system and a true Energy Union. REPowerEU is financed via the National Recovery and Resilience Facility (NRRF).