I can confirm that the power referred to by the Deputy has not been exercised in respect of the tertiary education sector and no formal directions under that section have been issued.
Compliance and progress within the tertiary education sector in respect of climate mitigation and adaptation are monitored through established governance, regular engagement with the sector and robust oversight arrangements between my Department and the higher and further education institutions. These include structured reporting processes and ongoing performance monitoring against national climate targets through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) system.
All further and higher education institutions have submitted Climate Action roadmaps, required under the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, which set out each institution's plans to reduce emissions, improve energy performance and strengthen climate resilience. They also provide a structured basis for monitoring delivery at institutional level and support alignment with sectoral climate objectives.
Additionally, my Department is finalising a Sectoral Decarbonisation Plan which is intended to guide the implementation and governance of decarbonisation measures across the tertiary sector education estate.
My Department will continue to support the tertiary sector to drive deployment of emissions reductions measures for the tertiary sector, through targeted guidance, regular engagement and robust performance oversight.
