93. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the roll-out and installation of solar panels in schools, if there are plans to work the ESB in relation to prioritising schools for installation or adjusting the payment rate for schools without smart metres to sell electricity back into the grid (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40201/25]
Sentiment score: -0.10
A little over a year ago, as the Minister knows, the Government started to roll out a scheme of supplying free solar panels to schools. This is a very worthwhile initiative. However, there is a problem. Many schools do not have smart meters, which means they cannot sell excess electricity back to the grid. This installation is taking way too long. I know of a school that will not get a smart meter until 2028. Many schools are now only getting 25% of the electricity generated as a credit, whereas they should be earning much more. Can the Government work to improve the time for installation by the ESB?
Sentiment score: 0.09
I thank the Minister. The schools are currently given a 25% credit at, say, 18 cent per kilowatt hour. The schools are closed most of the year. Their generation during this time is huge, and more so since they are closed during much of the peak solar times in the summer. The other issue is that the 10 kW roll out is too small for many schools. They require a much greater coverage of solar panels. I am not saying that larger systems should be fully funded, but they should be supported to some degree, for example, to 50% or 75% of the cost. This will save schools large amounts of money. A small 10 kW system is not appropriate for a large school. We should have a programme appropriately sized for the schools. The one-size-fits-all model is not the best way.
Sentiment score: 0.17
On a related matter, this programme can help with the running costs of primary schools. Schools have severe financial difficulties. Many schools are in deficit. I have seen how the ancillary grant, for example, does not cover the cost of caretaking. Could this be increased to match the cost? Additionally, I believe we need to look at increasing the capitation grant further from the new rate of €224 per child. The Parliamentary Budget Office has said it would cost approximately €40 million per annum to increase the amount to €299 per child.
Sentiment score: 0.11
94. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to review the transition year programme to include practical life skills as part of the compulsory requirement across all schools: personal legal rights, household management, personal finance, taxation and social welfare and the driver theory test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40202/25]
Sentiment score: 0.05
We have a great secondary education system. It is one of the cornerstones of our success as a nation. However, given it is largely academically based, we need to look at ways of bringing life skills to our children that will better prepare them for the real world. In particular, I refer to the transition year programme. This is a great programme which offers students an opportunity to learn new skills. Can it be extended to cover more aspects of daily life that will benefit our children as they enter adult life?
Sentiment score: 0.48
I will mention in particular some items that should be included, for example, knowledge of finance and how to manage finance. This is important as it affects everyone. It should cover understanding of income tax and all other taxes. It should also educate about loans and mortgages and explain the difference between different types of loans. Second, it should include legal education and understanding of one's legal rights. It should also include how the political system works, how democracy and elections are conducted and the difference between Departments and local authorities. It should educate our young on the political systems all over the world and the whole area of critical thinking.
Sentiment score: 0.02
I will list some other items but the list is not exhaustive. Many schools run the mini-company programme in conjunction with the student enterprise programme supported by the local enterprise offices but this programme is only offered to a limited number of students in schools. Could we offer a programme to all students on the following: the skills and steps required in setting up a business; the driver theory test; online safety and the risks and benefits of the online world; and communication, including both verbal and written skills? People who have real-world experience in the above-mentioned areas could contribute to many of these programmes. They could also offer an element of mentoring to young people and bridge the gap between the school and world they live in and the realities they will face when they become adults.
Sentiment score: 0.12