Twenty-eight schools to undergo major retrofit works this summer
The work will be funded by an investment of around €86 million in the department's REPowerEU Pathfinder scheme.
The 28 schools are all in counties Kildare, Meath, Offaly, Wicklow, and Wexford. The majority of schools receiving the retrofit works this summer are national schools.
The commitment by government is a 'major step forward' in the department's efforts to enhance energy efficiency of schools and advance Ireland's climate action targets.
The 28 schools will have heat pumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation installed to achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of 'at least B'. BER is measured on a scale of A to G. A-rated homes typically have the lowest energy bills.
Advertisement
'The fabric and airtightness of the schools will also be upgraded and electric car chargers will be installed,' a statement from the department said.
Of the schools, 24 will be supported with associated electrical upgrade by the ESB to accommodate the new decarbonised heat pump systems.
Education Minister Helen McEntee said that today's announcement its a 'hugely positive development' for the schools, as well as a 'clear sign' of her department's commitment to making progress on national climate goals and delivering climate-conscious school environments.
She commended the speed at which the project has been delivered.
'The department will continue to work closely with the schools, project teams, contractors, and all stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely delivery of the retrofit works over the coming months,' she said.
The full list of schools who are set to undergo work this summer:
Killashee National School – Kildare
Allen NS – Kildare
Robertstown National School – Kildare
Scoil Naisiunta Bhride – Kildare
Kilberry National School – Kildare
SN Ide Naofa – Kildare
Gilson National School (Oldcastle mixed) – Meath
Colaiste Pobail Rath Cairn – Meath
Scoil Ui Ghramhnaigh – Meath
S N NAOMH PADRAIG Slane – Meath
Scoil Naomh Bride – Meath
GEASHILL NS – Offaly
The Sacred Heart – Offaly
Mercy Primary – Offaly
Shinrone Mixed NS – Offaly
Scoil Bhride – Offaly
St Cynocs – Offaly
Edenderry Boys National School (St Patricks) – Offaly
S N NMH Seosaimh – Wexford
SN Mhuire (Danecastle NS) – Wexford
St Kevins NS (S N CHAOMHAIN TORRCHOILL, Tarahill) – Wexford
Scoil Nicolais Naofa – Wicklow
Scoil Chonglais – Wicklow
S N MUIRE IS GEARARD – Wicklow
Bray School Project – Wicklow
Kilcommon NS – Wicklow
Carnew NS – Wicklow
St Patricks National School – Wicklow
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Education Minister defends length of school summer holidays in Ireland
The Education Minister has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to "take a break". Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach. There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays – three months for secondary schools and two months for primary – are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe. Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: "I'm here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer. "We've always had a particular time period for school holidays. "What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that they're actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back. "Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that's taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break." A view of the summer programme at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin. It features baking, literacy and outdoor classes for students over the summer break. Picture date: Thursday July 24, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire The children at St Mary's Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs. They can also paint in the school's outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council. Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16 per cent increase on last year. Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began "with a particular emphasis on special education". "For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important. 'And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents. "It's obviously since expanded, it's not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, it's a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children – and it's not all children that access the programme – but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, it's there. Education Minister Helen McEntee (left) and junior minister Emer Higgins (centre) during a visit to the summer programme at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin. It features baking, literacy and outdoor classes for students over the summer break. Picture date: Thursday July 24, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire "It's also fun. "I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges. "But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall." Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland. Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring "we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Times
02-07-2025
- Irish Times
New school admissions system for second-level schools to be piloted in five towns in October
A streamlined system for applying to second-level schools will be piloted across five towns later this year in a bid to overhaul what parents describe as a chaotic and stressful applications process. The single applications system for admission to first year will be piloted in Athenry, Co Galway ; Celbridge , Co Kildare ; Clonakilty , Co Cork ; Greystones , Co Wicklow ; and Tullamore, Co Offaly . Minister for Education Helen McEntee has pledged to expand the system nationwide if it is successful. She said it aims to simplify admissions, provide more certainty for parents, reduce administrative overheads for schools and provide earlier identification of duplicate applications. READ MORE 'This pilot is an important step towards delivering a more efficient, transparent and equitable school application process,' she said. 'It will reduce stress for parents and children, ease administrative burdens on schools and support better planning for school places.' At present, parents are advised to apply to multiple schools in areas that are heavily oversubscribed to boost their children's chances of securing a place in local schools. Many parents have complained that this approach results in long waiting lists and months of stress as they wait to find out if their child has secured a place. Under the new system, parents and guardians will have access to a single online application form who want to apply for a first-year place for their child in participating schools, including for special classes. Applications will open from October 1st for school places in September 2026. A combination of rapid population growth in local areas, a demographic bubble of secondary school pupils and increasing demand for special classes have placed growing pressure on school admissions across the country. Some of the areas where the single applications system have experienced acute enrolment pressure and shortages of school places, with students either left without school places or forced to travel long distances to access a place. The list of participating schools includes: Athenry (Presentation College, Clarin College and Coláiste an Eachréidh); Celbridge (Salesian College, St Wolstan's Community School, Celbridge Community School); Clonakilty (Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty Community College); Greystones (St David's Holy Faith Secondary School; Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones Community College); and Tullamore/Killina (Coláiste Choilm, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore College).
Irish Times
17-06-2025
- Irish Times
Are school smartphone bans effective in improving the atmosphere? ‘Not a silver bullet, but they're a start'
When Eileen O'Donnell, principal of St Raphaela's Secondary School in Stillorgan, decided to ban mobile phones , her motivation wasn't falling grades or classroom distractions – it was the eerie quiet at breaktimes. 'After Covid, especially, there was less interaction and socialising among students,' says O'Donnell. 'Some didn't know how to sit around and have a laugh with their friends, and the phone was a crutch. Or you'd see little huddles of students gathered around their phones.' These days, students' phones are locked away in secure pouches in the morning and can only be accessed when the school day ends. Breaktimes have been much noisier since. 'We worked with the student council to ensure their voices were heard ... the senior students, in particular, felt a sense of relief in not having them. There is a huge temptation to use them if they are there and to go down rabbit holes.' READ MORE Banning smartphones in schools has become an increasingly popular move for principals looking to improve children's education, concentration and wellbeing. Minister for Education Helen McEntee last week directed that post-primary schools must implement a policy to restrict mobile phone use during the school day. 'Having engaged with many different school communities across the country, I am confident that this policy will support student wellbeing, engagement and their interaction with their peers, while also recognising the experience and expertise of school communities and the need for consultation,' she said. Yet, the latest international research suggests that smartphone bans have little or no impact on education, cyberbullying and wellbeing among students. A Dublin City University (DCU) report published today concludes that any studies that suggest a ban are often found to 'over rely on correlations and/or overstate small percentages and/or causality to justify their conclusions'. The findings of some studies are cited selectively. For example, it says a Unesco report – Global Education Monitoring Report 2023 – has been referenced by previous minster for education Norma Foley as a basis for a ban on smartphones in schools. While the Unesco report did highlight the risk of distraction and lower student engagement, it did not recommend a blanket ban. It emphasised the 'balance between managing risks associated with technology and preparing students for a digital future'. Despite this, many schools that have introduced bans feel they have significantly helped change the school atmosphere for the better. 'You can't deny that it is better, socially, for students,' says one principal, who asked not to be named. 'They still have their phones, before and after school, so I'm not surprised that there are still issues with wellbeing and cyberbullying. School bans are not a silver bullet, but they're a start.' The DCU report – which includes sampling the views of pupils in Irish schools – also notes that students' voices have not been included in decision-making on smartphone restrictions or bans within schools, but they want to have a say in decisions on these aspects of their school lives. 'There are more pressing issues for students than smartphone use in schools that students were concerned about, such as school facilities and health concerns,' the study noted. It is a sentiment with which Kevin Shortall, principal of St Aidan's Community School in Tallaght, Dublin, agrees. He says the school has deliberately had a 'laissez-faire' approach until now. 'We have no digital resources or one-to-one devices here, so phones have been useful for students, especially those students whose first language isn't English,' he said. 'Teachers can say, 'take out your phones and look at Google Classroom' ... In schools that have one-to-one devices, it's the parents that buy them. That's not possible for all school communities.' Any issues with phones or social media – such as cyberbullying or pupils being excluded from groups – happens outside of school time. The key, says Shortall, is educating students to better navigate the digital world. 'Yes, some kids take them out too many times, but banning them is like saying we'll ban walls, just because someone has written graffiti on them. I don't believe they are the big worry in schools that people think they are. There's a wider issue – we're less mindful and we're all addicted to them – but that's true of society generally.'
