New heating system planned for modern Laois primary school


A modern Laois primary school is seeking to upgrade its heating system, to keep in line with low carbon usage standards.
The Department of Education and Youth has lodged a planning application with Laois County Council, on behalf of Maryborough National School in Summerhill, Portlaoise.
The 100 pupil co-ed Church of Ireland primary school opened 13 years ago in 2013. It shares the Summerhill campus with Gaelscoil Phortlaoise and Portlaoise Educate Together National School (PETNS), all constructed as a ‘rapid build’ project.
The department is asking permission to install “sustainable energy compounds to host a Liquid Propane Gas tank and heat pump modules, as well as associated site development works.”
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The compounds for the heat pump and the gas tank will be on the north east and east edges of the school site.
The department says that the plan is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) Development.
Similar applications for Gaelscoil Phortlaoise and PETNS were approved by Laois County Council in 2025.
A decision is due in late July.