LWETB join forces with government to launch school retrofitting programme

Published: Tue 23 Jan 2024, 1:22 PM

Last updated: Fri 26 Jan 2024, 4:16 PM

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) are collaborating with the Department of Education and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to deliver the next phase of the School Retrofitting Programme.

The programme aims to retrofit and upgrade 14 schools in counties Westmeath, Longford, Leitrim and Offaly, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford.

There are also two constituent schools of LWETB included in the programme, Mullingar Community College, and Ardscoil Phádraig in Longford.

LWETB will play a crucial role in the implementation of the retrofit programme across a number of other schools in the region also.

The programme, with a budget of €50 million, will increase the Building Energy Ratings (BER) of the schools while incorporating renewable heating solutions. The objective of the programme is to achieve a 51 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.

The pathfinder programme has successfully retrofitted schools in 19 counties to date. The selected schools for the 2024 programme present a variety of challenges including building age and retrofit requirements. The works will include upgrades to the building fabric such as wall and roof insulation, door and window upgrades, and heating upgrades along with the integration of renewable technologies.

Minister Norma Foley stated: "I look forward to seeing up to 14 more schools around the country benefitting through the next phase of this programme. It is positive to see the results of good collaboration and teamwork and hear the great feedback from the school principals, teachers, pupils and parents whose schools have benefitted from previous investments under the pathfinder programme."

Minister Foley added that the programme will result in a "more comfortable teaching and learning environment and upgraded spaces beyond the expectations of the schools".

Liz Lavery, chief executive of LWETB, said: "We are proud to play such a crucial role in this national initiative. LWETB are a dynamic organisation committed to a more sustainable and energy efficient future for educational institutions nationally."

For further information as the programme progresses, see www.lwetb.ie.