Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures being taken by her Department and its agencies to reduce their carbon footprint in 2007/2008. [9445/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the aegis of the Office of Public Works, my Department is participating in an energy audit which aims to reduce energy use and carbon emissions by 15% per annum over a two year period. In advance of this exercise, we have already installed a new, more energy efficient lighting system in our Hawkins House headquarters, including mechanisms for automatically turning off lights in kitchenettes when they are not in use.

My colleague, Mr. John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will shortly finalise a scheme for carbon offsetting, which will apply to all Government Departments, including the Department of Health and Children.

Information on measures being taken by agencies under the aegis of my Department is not readily available. My Department is asking the agencies concerned to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.