Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress his Department has made in achieving this 33% target of energy efficiency in the public sector; if energy use in buildings under the responsibility of his Department is being monitored; if so, the person by whom it is monitored; the recent trends; if buildings under the responsibility of his Department are being retrofitted to improve energy efficiency; if there are capital budgets for energy efficiency measures in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As previously advised to the House, the buildings used to accommodate the staff of my Department are included in a scheme of ongoing monitoring and evaluation of their level of energy usage. The objective of this exercise, operated under the aegis of the Office of Public Works (OPW), is to achieve significant reductions in energy usage.

As a result of pilot studies recently undertaken by the OPW in selected public buildings, it is considered that individual behavioural change has the most significant role to play in achieving reductions in energy consumption. Accordingly, current efforts are being directed in this area rather than the retrofitting of older buildings which would probably involve considerable expenditure with comparatively fewer benefits.

The main energy consumption initiative being pursued by my Department this year is participation in the OPW-sponsored Staff Awareness Energy Campaign. This new campaign revolves around a series of staff workshops giving practical energy-saving ideas. The appointment of energy officers for each participant building is another important element of this initiative.

I am confident that these steps will soon deliver a downward trend in energy consumption by my Department. I believe that a decisive start has been made in achieving the 33% target set out in the Programme for Government agreed last year.