Applications Open May 2025
The Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, has today (Friday) announced details of a 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 the traditional maintenance work associated with this scheme.
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 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.
The Scheme will facilitate multi-annual funding for schools, which is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that the Scheme operates every year to ensure good maintenance of school buildings.
Minister Helen McEntee said:
“I am very pleased to announce the opening of the application process for a new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
“Schools need to be able to maintain their buildings and they need certainty they will have the funding to do so. They will also receive specialist support for their projects from their Architects and Engineers.
“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.”
Key points to note in relation to the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme:
- Application period – Applications open May 2025. Once the application process opens in early May, school authorities will have until 30 June 2025 to submit applications.
- Categories of Works – Schools can apply for one of the 10 categories of works under the Scheme and each category includes a strong climate dimension (such as attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, LED lighting, EV charging provision etc.). It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
- First tranche of approvals in Q4 2025 – It is envisaged that school authorities will be notified in Q4 2025 of the first tranche of successful applications for delivery in summer 2026. This provides a good lead-in period for school authorities (with the professional support of their Architect/Engineer) 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 the delivery of their project.
- The Scheme 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, school fabric improvements etc.
The categorisation of projects under the Scheme has also been changed following a review. In addition to a strong climate dimension with each of the traditional categories of works, it also now includes a new category of Climate Action Works which will involve, as required, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, bike rack, LED lighting and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging provision. The strong climate dimension draws on experience from the Department of Education’s Pathfinder Programme.
It is a matter for each school authority to identify the project in most urgent need of funding from the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. Each school can apply for one project and with the support of a professional Architect or Engineer will be responsible for the delivery of the project on a devolved basis. Works are typically undertaken during the summer holiday period which minimises disruption to the operation of schools.
As part of the Government’s Climate Action, there is an obligation on schools to commit to report energy use through the SEAI monitoring system.
Full details on the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme will be available on the Department’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/3230e1-summer-works-scheme/ before 31 March 2025 following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Schools that have queries in relation to the new Scheme can seek advice in the first instance from their School Management Body.
The Esinet platform currently used by schools for payroll returns has been extended to facilitate online applications from schools for the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. It is envisaged that the Esinet system will be open for applications in early May 2025 and schools can submit applications up until 30 June 2025. Schools are requested to note that paper-based applications will not be accepted by the Department.
Climate Action Summer Works Scheme categories
The governing Circular will be available on the Department’s website by 31 March 2025 following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The 10 categories of works under the Scheme are as follows (from which individual school authorities can prioritise one category):
| Category | Category priority | Works eligible in this category |
| 1 | Climate Action Works | a. Will involve as required, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, bike rack and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging provision. |
| 2 | Climate Action and Roof Works | a. Climate action element will involve if required associated airtightness works, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, and bike rack provision. b. All roof work type projects |
| 3 | Climate Action and Electrical Works | a. Climate action element will involve if required, attic insulation, , cavity wall insulation, LED lighting, bike rack and EV charging Provision. b. All electrical works other than life safety |
| 4 | Climate Action and Mechanical Works | a. Climate action element will involve if required attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, LED lighting, bike rack, Heat Pumps and EV charging provision. b. Mechanical building services works |
| 5 | Climate Action and Science Labs (incl. Gas Works) | a. Climate action element will involve if required, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, bike rack provision. b. Improvement and refurbishment works to science labs and any gas safety works |
| 6 | Climate Action and Toilet facilities | a. Climate action element will involve if required these rooms install internal wall insulation on the external walls in these areas prior to fitting sanitary ware etc. plus if required, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, bike rack and EV charging provision. b. Improvement works to toilet facilities |
| 7 | Climate Action and Windows Projects | a. Climate action element will involve if required attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, bike rack provision and airtightness improvement works. b. Window project works |
| 8 | Climate Action and Curricular Requirements (excl. Science Labs) | a. Climate action element will involve if required where these rooms are being refurbished, install internal wall insulation on external walls prior to fitting built in furniture etc. plus if required cavity wall / attic insulation throughout the school and bike rack provision. b. Works relating to curricular requirements (excl. Science Labs) |
| 9 | Climate Action and Fabric Defects | a. Climate action element will involve if required, attic/ cavity wall insulation, and bike rack provision. b. Works to address building fabric defects excluding roofs |
| 10 | Climate Action and External environment projects | a. Climate action element will involve if required, attic/ cavity wall insulation, bike rack provision and may include preparatory works for EV charging provision at a later date. b. Improvement works to the external school areas |
