219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there is a co-ordinated programme across Government at local and national level to ensure the use of public buildings for the installation of solar panels. [64066/26]

Government is committed to the expansion of solar generation and the use of rooftops and suitable land to deliver solar installations across the public sector. My Department provides a range of supports to public bodies and businesses, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to help deliver these projects including advisory and technical support and schemes such as the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant Scheme (NDMGS).

The NDMGS provides grant support for the installation of solar PV systems by businesses, public sector bodies, schools, community organisations, sports clubs and other non-profit organisations. The scheme provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €162,600 for installations of up to 1000kWp. From its launch in 2022 to May 2026, this scheme has supported 2,791 installations totalling over €30m in investment. There are over 1,400 applications in progress for this scheme, showing that demand is accelerating.

The Pathfinder Programme supports a range of projects including major retrofitting projects across the health and education sectors and Local Authorities. I am bringing forward ambitious plans to develop the Pathfinder Programme between now and 2030 to support public bodies in their energy transition by offering up to 50% funding for projects ranging from shallow retrofit measures to deep decarbonisation projects, including solar installations. The Programme for Government has recommitted to Ireland's ambition to substantially reduce emissions by 2030 and to become climate neutral by no later than 2050.

In addition, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will further support the deployment of solar energy across the public estate. The Directive requires Member States to introduce measures to accelerate the rollout of solar installations on suitable buildings and provides for a phased introduction of solar requirements for certain new and existing public and non-residential buildings. In addition to our longstanding work under the Pathfinder umbrella, my Department is working with the SEAI to develop guidance for how public bodies can assess their buildings and advance suitable solar installations. The EPBD also requires new buildings to be designed to optimise their solar energy generation potential, helping to ensure that future public buildings are ready to accommodate solar technologies as standard.