Schools across Ireland are being invited to bid for funding to improve their estate and drive carbon efficiencies.

Irish Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, this week gave details of the new multi-annual Climate Action Summer Works Scheme for schools, which will open for applications in early May.

Previously named the Summer Works Scheme, it now has a strong climate dimension and enables schools to undertake small- and medium-scale maintenance and improvement works such as insulation, LED lighting, the provision of EV chargers and bike racks, as well as traditional maintenance works.

The scheme also provides an important opportunity for post-primary schools to undertake refurbishment and improvement works to their science laboratories.

Another change to the newly-launched scheme is that funding approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional approach of a single category at a time, helping schools to obtain value for money.

McEntree said: “Schools need to be able to maintain their buildings and they need certainty they will have the funding to do so.

“I am particularly pleased that the climate action element of the scheme will enable schools to continue to select their works category based on their local needs and improve their energy efficiency and reduce their running costs.”

Once the application process opens in early May, school authorities will have until 30 June to submit applications.

Schools can apply for one of the 10 categories of works and each category includes a strong climate dimension such as attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, LED lighting, and EV charging provision.

It is envisaged that school authorities will be notified in the last quarter of this year of the first tranche of successful applications for delivery in summer 2026. This provides a good lead-in period for school authorities to manage the planning, organisation, procurement, and delivery of their projects.

The scheme operates on a devolved basis with professional support provided to school authorities in the form of an architect or engineer to manage and support project delivery.

The scheme also includes an obligation on schools to sign up to a system of online reporting of energy use through the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI).

Categories of works to be funded by the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme include roof upgrades, electrical and mechanical works, window upgrades, and school fabric improvements.