Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I propose to speak to the part of the motion which recognises that the energy sector must be central to any economic recovery plan and which refers to the creation of significant numbers of sustainable job opportunities. As Deputies will be aware, the Labour Party's policy to address the current economic problems includes a proposal to put construction workers to work building badly needed school buildings. I will explain the connection between this proposal and the motion. The Government's programme includes a commitment to require the public sector to lead the way on energy efficiency with a mandatory programme of efficiency measures, including the sole use of energy efficient lighting and heating in offices, schools and hospitals and other public buildings, to produce 33% energy savings by 2020. This commitment was made because Ireland is required under EU directives to make public buildings 33% more energy efficient by 2020.

Two directives on energy efficiency and energy performance of buildings, respectively, include a key requirement that the public sector must assume an exemplary role. The latter directive is specific on public buildings, including school buildings. Ireland has some 4,000 school buildings which must be made more energy efficient if we are to meet EU requirements and realise the commitment made in the programme for Government.

The Government has adopted policies, including the recommendations of the White Paper on energy, which include a commitment to make public buildings, including school buildings, 33% more energy efficient. The national energy efficiency action plan contains a similar commitment. The programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure new school buildings are more energy efficient. The energy efficiency requirement applies to old buildings as well as new buildings.

The Government has done nothing to meet its commitment on energy efficiency in public buildings. It has not produced a plan and has instead placed the onus for making school buildings more energy efficient on schools without providing funding for this purpose. The summer works programme, which some schools used to cover the costs of insulating buildings, replacing windows and so forth, was abandoned in 2007. The funding available to schools would not cover the costs of changing light bulbs.

The standard of many of our old school buildings is poor. A report submitted to the Department of Education and Science last year found that a high proportion of school buildings are in poor condition. In a large number of them some or all classes are in prefabricated buildings. One school in my constituency has been using only prefabricated buildings for 14 years. These buildings waste heat and are cold in winter and hot in summer. Heating costs are substantial because they are energy inefficient, are not insulated and have thin walls. If the Labour Party proposal is put in place jobs can be created and people can be working and contributing to the tax system as they will be able to buy things in the economy.

If money is put into school buildings it will help us to meet our targets to reduce carbon emissions. If we do not meet these targets we will have to spend money on carbon credits or fines to the EU for not meeting our requirements. Money is saved by saving energy in buildings. The Government has made commitments but is doing nothing about them. We need to do something about building schools and making our school buildings more energy efficient.

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