Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his initiatives to increase energy efficiency across the economy, and in particular in households, businesses, the public sector, the transport sector and the built environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6135/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Europe presented by the Commission last October sets out a comprehensive range of proposed policies and measures aimed at realising at least 20% savings in EU energy consumption by 2020. The overall thrust of the Plan was endorsed by EU Energy Ministers in November last. The objective is to deliver for Europe energy efficient infrastructure, buildings, appliances, processes, transport and energy systems. Energy efficiency has the potential to be the most effective and economical means of delivering on the challenge of reducing Europe's dependence on energy imports, reducing energy demand and reducing CO2 emissions.

The Plan sets out 10 priority actions for transport, built environment power generation, economic sectors and individual consumers. The actions are underpinned by a programme of 57 measures which the Commission will progressively propose to Council and Parliament up to 2012. It is essential that we have effective synergies between National Energy Efficiency Action Plans and action at European level. I have made clear that Ireland's ambitious approach to energy efficiency will fully reflect and underpin the comprehensive European Action Plan. An Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Ireland is being finalised by my Department working with SEI and other relevant Government Departments. I intend to publish the Plan for consultation in April. In September 2006, I launched the national energy efficiency awareness campaign, the Power of One. The campaign involves building awareness of the types and sources of energy we use; raising awareness of the impact of inefficient use of energy in terms of increased costs to the user, the economy and the environment; informing and empowering the general public on best practices in terms of saving energy at home and at work; targeting individual sectors (e.g. industry, SMEs, schools, the public sector, the transport sector) with specific energy saving strategies; and building on existing programmes and initiatives on the island of Ireland and taking full account of EU developments.

Eight television and seven radio commercials have been produced, each with a specific energy efficient message for the consumer. There is also an extensive press campaign to complement TV and radio, an online presence through www.powerofone.ie as well as regional and sectoral modules. The campaign has benefited from the involvement of EirGrid as well as ESB, BGE and other energy suppliers.

The reach of the Power of One campaign has been very significant with follow up research showing the television advertisements airing a total of 3,298 times to date with 84% of all individuals having seen the ads at least 5 times and the average frequency being almost 20 times. Similarly, follow up research shows the radio message has been heard at least 5 times by 81% of all individuals, average frequency being up to 23 times. Tailored energy efficiency messages in the national press have reached almost 2.5 million people with a further 1.5 million in the consumer press. The outdoor campaign has been seen by 948,000 individuals with advertisements featuring in 190 sites across the country. The Power of One message has also been seen by over 2 million people in cinemas nationwide. The dedicated website www.powerofone.ie has been visited by over 35,000 people and over 25,000 information packs have been despatched from our mailing centre. The majority of the population has been exposed to sustained energy efficiency messages and advice over the past 5 months.

Yesterday, I launched the Power of One Street which will track the energy usage of 8 families from all over the country. Each month the participants will be set a challenge to improve their energy efficiency and their progress will be monitored and reported on over the next 6 months. This initiative will drive home to everyone the simple changes that can be made to improve their energy efficiency and save on energy costs. Progress of the Power of One Street will be featured in media nationwide throughout the coming months.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) promotes and assists the development of sustainable energy. Many of the SEI programmes have a strong energy efficiency focus. Within the built environment, SEI targets the residential sector, small companies and public buildings such as local offices and schools in its promotion of energy efficiency. Various supports are provided to promote sustainable energy practices in Irish housing. These include model demonstration projects that have the potential for market influence and replication. Emphasis is placed on the pre-1980 housing stock, with accompanying measures for low-income householders and the promotion of building energy rating. Public-good research is conducted to guide policy and identify deficiencies and barriers to energy performance improvements.

Focus is in the following areas: House of Tomorrow: This programme stimulates the widespread uptake of more sustainable energy planning, design, specification and construction practices in both the new home building and the home improvement markets. The House of Tomorrow Programme funds demonstration projects to create a nationwide network of accessible, replicable model examples of more sustainable energy practices in Irish housing. A total of 131 projects have been supported to end 2006, including social housing new build projects, private housing new build and social housing refurbishment projects. 4,854 houses were built under this programme by the end of 2006 which is nearly 200% higher than the NDP target of 1650 houses completed.

Home Energy Rating: The primary focus of this programme is to prepare for and enable the successful implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in Ireland. A key element is to address the need for a comprehensive, nationally recognised building energy rating system aimed at making energy efficiency an explicit factor in building transactions and renovation decisions. As the designated Issuing Authority, SEI's priority now is to ensure that there is an appropriate system and process in place to deliver on the legislative obligations and meet early market demand for Building Energy Rating Certificates.

Public Sector: This programme promotes energy-efficient design, technologies and services in new and retrofit public sector projects. Under this programme, the energy performance of public sector buildings is enhanced through improved design, investment and management. In the period up to August 2006, 79 design studies, 71 model solutions and 2 energy management bureaux were approved for funding. 54 model solution projects have been completed with the remainder well advanced. High profile examples of projects funded as demonstrations under this programme are Limerick County Council offices as well as recently completed Kildare County Council.

Low-Income Housing: This programme was set up to help establish and implement a national plan of action to address this problem systematically. Core delivery is through its Warmer Homes Scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of affected homes. The total number of houses substantially addressed to end 2006 was over 10,700. There are 15 community based organisations that are approved for funding to complete homes in 2006. The service is now available in Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Roscommon, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Cavan, Limerick and Leitrim.

SEI also works in co-operation with Irish industry to reduce the energy intensity of the enterprise sector and helps Irish industry to adopt new and more effective approaches to managing energy costs. Industry programmes support measures to address market failure through provision of information, verification and demonstration, and certification and benchmarking. SEI hosts initiatives for medium-sized industrial enterprises on the acceptance of best practice by way of recognised standards and supported by certification.

Focus is in the following areas: Agreements: The objective of this programme is to support firms in protecting their competitiveness in the context of high and rising energy prices. The programme provides firms with the opportunity to apply a structured approach to reducing costs through an agreed schedule of energy efficiency measures over a three year period. The initial group of 10 companies recruited in May 2006 is expected to collectively save up to €20 million over the next three years. The programme is to be expanded to incorporate a further 40 (14 already recruited) of the top energy users in Ireland. Savings of up to €50 million could be made over a 3-year period upon reaching that target level of participation.

Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN): LIEN is a voluntary networking initiative comprising 85 of the largest industrial energy users in Ireland. LIEN members recognise that a structured approach to energy auditing and management is a valuable tool for driving energy efficiency. As published in its most recent annual report during 2005, members avoided €27 million in energy costs and achieved a saving of 173,647 tons of carbon dioxide.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP): The programme strategy incorporates elements such as the evaluation of district heating potential in Ireland and feasibility studies/pilot plans for innovative CHP projects. It provides support for the regulatory and legislative treatment of CHP and assists the Government in the development of a CHP policy. In 2006 I launched an €11m CHP grants programme aimed at increasing deployment of this energy efficiency technology over a 5 year period.

SEI also provides targeted information to heighten consumer awareness of the environmental impacts of energy use and to provide information on options for greater sustainability. The Consumer Information Programme aims to motivate consumers to become more energy efficient in their daily lives by making them aware of their energy usage and informing them of the simple actions they can take. An education programme brings the topic of energy use into the classroom in an interesting and engaging way. It enables pupils to develop an awareness of where energy comes from, the environmental impacts of its use and the responsibilities that individuals bear to reduce consumption. Over 450 interactive workshops take place throughout Ireland annually reaching in excess of 13,000 primary school students. The workshops are divided into two levels: Guzzler Workshops and Energy Challenge Workshops.

Energy Efficiency and energy saving strategies are a key priority for the Government and this will be reflected in the forthcoming White Paper on Energy Policy which will be underpinned by the National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency.