Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Albert Dolan, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, confirming the delivery of over €850,000 nationally to support Education for Sustainable Development (ESD ) projects in primary and post-primary schools.
Deputy Dolan said he was particularly pleased to see more than €25,000 awarded to schools across Galway East, supporting a wide range of locally led sustainability initiatives that will benefit students, teachers and the wider community.
Schools across the constituency will receive funding of between €1,000 and €2,500 to deliver projects such as school gardens and polytunnels, outdoor classrooms, recycling and biodiversity initiatives, teacher training, and student-led climate action projects.
Among the Galway East schools receiving funding are Ballymana NS, Barnadearg NS, Belmont NS, Clonberne Central School, Gortnaleam NS, Kilrickle NS, Leitrim NS, Scoil Nioclás Naofa, Coldwood NS, St Joseph’s NS, and Trinity Primary School, with projects ranging from vegetable gardens and outdoor learning spaces to battery recycling, pollinator-friendly planting and waste reduction initiatives.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Dolan said this funding is a real vote of confidence in the work being done by schools across Galway East to embed sustainability into everyday learning.
“These projects don’t just benefit the school grounds, they empower young people to take meaningful climate action in their own communities.”
“From outdoor classrooms and biodiversity projects to recycling and energy awareness, these initiatives help students develop lifelong skills while strengthening links between schools and their local areas. It’s especially encouraging to see such strong engagement from rural schools right across the constituency,” he added.
Deputy Dolan also praised the focus on local action under the ESD to 2030 strategy, noting that it aligns closely with community-led climate action and the School Sector Climate Action Mandate.
“This is about supporting the next generation to understand sustainability in a practical, hands-on way. I commend the school communities involved, and I will continue to support investment that ensures Galway East schools have the resources they need to lead by example,” he concluded.
