Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
608. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30732/26]
View answerIt is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the department’s Climate Action Roadmap 2025: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/fee782cd/Climate_Action_Roadmap_2025_DEY.pdf and [School Sector Technical Climate Action Roadmap]: https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/315407/1680010b-23cc-4c17-94b9-9dc5096c5c67.pdf#page=null
Units with responsibility for the oversight of in-scope aegis bodies monitor compliance with Public Sector Climate Action Mandate on a regular basis.
The installation of solar panels is one of the elements that play a part in meeting the requirements of the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. The Office of Public Works (OPW) are the National Estate Portfolio Lead under the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate 2025. Where buildings are owned and managed by OPW it is OPW that makes the final determination regarding installation of solar panels and other environmentally friendly energy generation solutions.
