Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 200: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress her Department has made in achieving the 33% target of energy efficiency in the public sector; if energy use in buildings under the responsibility of her Department is being monitored; if so the person by whom it is monitored; the recent trends; if buildings under the responsibility of her Department are being retrofitted to improve energy efficiency; if there are capital budgets for energy efficiency measures in her Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13127/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In conjunction with the Office of Public Works, my Department is taking part in the Optimising Power @ Work Campaign. We have appointed an Energy Officer to work with the relevant Consultants assisting in rolling out the campaign. To date an energy audit has been carried out in our main HQ in Hawkins House. This audit will be used to develop a profile of use which will then be used to establish targets for the reduction in emissions. The results of this audit will be presented at an awareness information session scheduled for all staff on the 21st and 22nd of this month. In 2007 all the old lighting in Hawkins House was replaced with new energy efficient lighting. This included the installation of automatic lights in all kitchenettes which switch off when not in use. In 2007 an environmental sub committee of the Department's Partnership Group was established made up of staff across the Department. The role of this committee is to examine all avenues of energy saving, as well as other environmental issues, and to bring them to the attention of all staff. This committee will assist in driving efficiency measures across the Department. Measures being taken by agencies under the aegis of my Department are matters for the agencies themselves. My Department is asking the agencies concerned to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.