Five schools in Laois awarded funding for climate action works

Five schools across County Laois will receive funding for climate action works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

This scheme, which was previously known as the Summer Works Scheme, provides funding to individual schools in order for them to undertake small-scale building works which ideally can be carried out during the summer months or other times which avoid disruptions to schools.

Now, the scheme places a strong emphasis on sustainability in schools.

Two primary schools in the county will receive the funding, these are Scoil Náisiúnta Cúil An Tsúdaire in Portarlington and Scoil Naomh Eoin in Killenard.

Three secondary schools have also been awarded the funding, including St Coleman's in Stradbally, Clonaslee College in Clonaslee, and Heywood Community School in Ballinakill.

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Commenting on the announcement made on Tuesday, 18 November, Laois TD Willie Aird said: "I’m delighted to see funding for schools in Laois as part of the rollout of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

"This scheme has allowed schools to undertake measures such as insulation upgrades, LED lighting installation, EV charger provision, bike-rack facilities to support active travel and other climate-focused works alongside traditional maintenance."

Deputy Aird continued: "Across the country, 297 projects have been approved, with €30m of total funding ring-fenced for refurbishment of science labs.

"This scheme has really prioritised investment in science laboratory refurbishment. This will help support the rollout of the new leaving certificate curriculum which aims to ensure that students have the skills they need to thrive after they finish school."

He said that he welcomes Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee's plans to ensure the scheme is done annually in order to facilitate ongoing investment in the maintenance and upgrade of schools.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme