Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the public sector energy costs and the level of public sector carbon emissions; the amount of the public sectors energy costs and carbon emissions accounted for through the school building stock; if he will bring forward measures or a new programme to disseminate environmental good practice in school and other public sector buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39789/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Buildings have a large part to play in the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet our Kyoto commitments and reduce our reliance on imported energy. It has been estimated that lighting, space heating and cooling of buildings is responsible for 40% of final energy use in the EU. Research has shown that more than 20% of present energy consumption could be saved by 2020 by applying stricter standards to buildings undergoing refurbishment and to new buildings. Energy use in the commercial and public services sector grew by 70% over the period 1990 to 2004.

The Public Sector Programme of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) recognises the diversity of buildings, the potential for improvement, impending regulations and directives, and the capacity to influence other sectors of the economy. Dissemination of good practice and implementation through demonstration projects, publications and seminars is central to the activities of the public sector programme. It promotes energy efficient design, technologies and services in new and retrofit projects. Under the programme energy performance is enhanced through design, investment and management. Supported projects act as examples of good practice, as a demand leader for the services and technologies involved, and help build sustainable energy capabilities among key service professionals.

The programme supports three streams of activity: design study support scheme, model solution investment support scheme and the energy management bureaux. The Design Study Support Scheme provides support for professional expertise to examine the technical and economic feasibility of design and technology solutions. Model Solutions Investment Support Scheme supports energy management and technology solutions in existing buildings and specifications for new buildings. Energy Management Bureau are a outsourced energy management services to manage energy usage, identify and implement energy related projects in groups of entities that come together for the purpose such as UCD, TCD, DIT and DCU.

The estimated energy spend for the total public sector in 2005 is €1.15 billion. This is based on a 60/40 split between private/public services. The 2003 Services inquiry put energy spend for private services at €1.47 billion and allowing about 15% for inflation this gives a value of €1.15 billion. The carbon dioxide emissions for the public sector amounted to 2,674 kt in 2005.

At present specific figures for energy use in schools are not available for the entire country. Schools are allocated an allowance per pupil for building operation and each school pays its own utility bills. The introduction of the energy performance of buildings directive will result in the publication and collation of energy use for all public buildings. Specifically the public sector programme has supported a model school in Tullamore, Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada.

Also in 2006 Sustainable Energy Ireland supported a generic design study for an energy efficient template for primary schools in partnership with the Department of Education and Science. This is published on its website. A number of schools including Archbishop Ryan National School in Balgaddy, Lucan, have been completed using this template.

Other work with the Department of Education and Science includes a pilot project to install wood pellet boilers in schools.