MINISTER for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science and County Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, this past week announced a funding round of €60million aimed to help drive energy efficiency and decarbonisation in Further Education and Training (FET) buildings across the country.
For the first time in the FET sector, aided by the new government funding, the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme will seek to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy performance, and build capacity at FET campuses and buildings to ensure they lead by example in the transition to a sustainable future.
Minister O’Donovan said that the funding announcement “marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future for lifelong learning”.
“The €60million Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Capital Investment Programme for Further Education and Training centres is not just an investment in our infrastructure, but an investment in our people and our planet.
“By upgrading our FET centres with the latest green technologies, we are creating a better learning environment for our apprentices and learners while advancing our commitment to achieving climate targets.”
According to the Limerick politician, this initiative underscores the government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering innovation, ultimately securing a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Co-funded under Project Ireland 2040 by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science and the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), this initiative is part of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
