Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount his Department paid in 2006 for car mileage expenses; the amount paid to cover rail and bus ticket expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9769/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the amount paid in respect of car mileage expenses in 2006 by my Department was €506,359.52. Payment to cover rail and bus ticket expenses during 2006 was €28,321.30.

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the cost of energy used running his Department in the year 2002; the cost of doing so in 2006; the quantity of energy used in each of these years to which this cost relates; and his plans to reduce this usage as a contribution to meeting concerns regarding climate change. [9818/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The energy cost of running my Department in 2002 was €158,257, and in 2006 it was €574,160. 2002 was the year of a significant reorganisation of my Department's functions and divisions. For reference the energy cost for the Department in 2003 was €313,486. A considerable amount of responsibilities transferred into and out of the remit of the Department and this, allied to the fact the Department acquired additional accommodation in the interim, accounts for the significant variation in costs over the years in question.

In 2006 my Department launched the 'Power of One' campaign, which, while concentrating on domestic use in the initial stage, will target energy-using sectors including the Public Service. This campaign will build on the Office of Public Works' (OPW) initiatives in this field.

The OPW are rolling out a staff energy awareness pilot study in 15 large State buildings, which will act as a template for a major staff energy awareness campaign in all State buildings in early 2007. OPW are also installing Web based energy monitoring units in large State buildings, including those occupied by my Department.