Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 65: To ask the Taoiseach the estimated energy use of his Department in the years, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; the total cost of that energy use in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44944/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The energy costs for my Department in the period requested are set out in the table beneath.

My Department's energy needs are met as part of the system for the Government Buildings complex which includes the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Office of the Attorney General, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the National Museum and the National Library.

Gas costs for the individual tenants of the complex are determined on the basis of the amount of square footage of the complex occupied rather than the cost of the amount of gas actually consumed. My Department's proportion of the gas costs on this basis is 7.51% of the total cost of gas consumption for the complex. Electricity costs for my Department are also determined notionally based on the total consumption for the Government Buildings complex as a whole. For these reasons it is not possible to calculate the exact amount of energy consumed by my Department.