This article is from page 13 of the 2011-03-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
TWENTY Green Flags have been awarded to schools throughout Clare by An Taisce under the internationally recognised Green Schools initiative that’s run in conjunction with local authorities throughout the country.
Seven schools were presented with their very first Green Flag on Tuesday namely: Caherea National School; Convent Primary School in Killaloe; Gaelscoil Ui Choimin Cill Rois; Lahinch National School; Quilty National School; Scoil Mhuire in Corofin; and St Senan’s Primary School in Kilrush.
As well as this 13 more schools renewed their Green Flag including Ballyvaughan National School; Carrigaholt National School; Cross National School; Killaloe Boys National School; Knockanean National School; Knockerra National School; Parteen National School; Scariff Community College; Shragh National School; St Augustine’s National School. in Kilshanny; St John’s National School in Cratloe; St Mochulla’s National School in Tulla and St. Tola’s National School in Shannon.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Christy Curtin acknowledged the schools saying “I am delighted that the Green Schools Programme is such a success in Clare with 79 schools having attained the Green Flag. It is estimated that this amounts to a staggering cost saving of € 182,040.19 for Clare schools, and this is a conservative estimate. Congratulations to all the Clare schools who are flying their brand new Green Flags outside their schools, you should be very proud indeed.”
“In a recent report by An Taisce, participating schools in Clare have in 2010 diverted waste from landfill of over 70 tonnes, reduced energy consumption by 178,560 kilowatt hours, cut water consumption by over 10 million litres and reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 180 tonnes. Schools have done Trojan work and should be highly commended,” said Clare County Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer Joan Tarmey.
“The work that the An Taisce staff are putting in is helping schools to develop the Green Schools programme. A big thank you goes out to each of them for their hard work.” A number of An Taisce staff are currently working with Clare schools including GS Travel Officer, Roisin Ni Ghairbhith and two Development Officers, Sean Hartigan and Graham Clarke,” she added.