Two schools selected for Biomass initiative

Breifne College and Beech Hill College have each been selected to participate in the Department of Education's Pathfinder Programme, which will see Biomass Heating Systems installed at both local secondary schools.

The department has also requested that the ETB assist with the delivery of Biomass Heating Systems at four other non-ETB schools in the region. They include Loreto College in Cavan, Bailieborough Community School, St Patrick's College and St Macartan's College in Monaghan.

Tenders were advertised on eTenders for an Mechanical and Engineering consultant to oversee delivery of the initiative, with an additional tender issued by the local educational board for a required contractor to carry out an asbestos survey. However, board member Joe McGrath warned of the pitfalls. Monaghan Institute employs such a heating system and Mr McGrath said while it “sounds idyllic”, it does still pose “a few questions”, particularly around maintenance and the sourcing of woodchip pellets, which he revealed have to be imported from either Northern Ireland or Norway. ETB Director of Organisation Support and Development (OSD), Karen McBride, said that the organisation is only taking the lead in terms of delivery, however the contract for handling all the ancillary elements such as supply will be contracted for by the Pathfinder Programme.

She further added that the ETB has been informed that there would be a stipend to off-set any potential additional costs incurred as a result of the installation.