The process of schools applying for solar panels under the Climate Action Fund must be made simpler, Senator Aisling Dolan has said.
The local Fine Gael senator said schools need more assistance, as there is still a lot of confusion on how the Climate Action Fund works.
She said schools urgently want to know how and when they will be able to apply for funding.
Senator Dolan has spoken to principals who have said that schools need clarity on how to apply, the timeline of a proposed project, and how much funding will be allocated for each individual project.
“The difficulties in applying for these grants acts as a disincentive for principals applying to the scheme and this is disappointing. Many schools want to get involved but just can’t do so,” she said.
Minister Eamon Ryan pledged to have solar panels on every school building in the country, but currently, only 5% of primary schools and 10% of secondary schools have PV panels installed.
Senator Dolan said that progress is too slow, and that there are many older school buildings that would be prime candidates to take part but cannot do so because of the administration constraints they have come across.
“Schools can be encouraged to apply for solar panels knowing that it won’t impact on applications for other vital funding such as additional classrooms and school repairs in parallel.
“Additional administrative support for principals in primary and secondary schools would assist with applying and managing the installation process which will reduce their heating and lighting costs especially coming into winter,” the Fine Gael senator said.
