Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the breakdown of all buildings and offices under the responsibility of the Office of Public Works that are lit up at night; if there has been an audit carried out by the OPW to assess if any of these lights could be switched off in efforts to conserve energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12714/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The breakdown of all buildings under the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, that are lit up at night, as in dedicated facade lighting, is not readily available and would require a survey. However, generally buildings of significant historical or architectural importance have such lighting. In some instances this type of lighting also provides a security function. It is policy that buildings of such note are lit continuously in the hours of darkness for both aesthetic and functional reasons. The type of lighting used for this purpose is very energy efficient.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the details and breakdown of any audit that has been carried out in relation to public buildings that are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works regarding use of energy outside of office hours including in relation to heating, lighting and machinery left on stand-by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12715/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works is currently engaged in an energy awareness programme in all large buildings in its portfolio. As part of this campaign an audit of both electrical and thermal energy consumption will be conducted. Exceptional and excessive consumption outside normal office hours will be identified and targeted for reduction. This is expected to be a key contributor to the expected savings. A pilot programme carried out in advance of the main campaign demonstrated that there was potential for savings in this area.

The first phase of the awareness programme is due for completion in July this year and it is expected that a large part of the audit work will be completed at this stage. Details of the audit for individual buildings will be available following completion of this phase of the work.