Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Energy Efficiency

Photo of Declan BreathnachDeclan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public lights and the cost, by county, in tabular form; his plans to retrofit public lighting and to invest in alternative light sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8964/16]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Provision and maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of each individual local authority and in the case of motorways Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

In my role as Energy Minister, I have an interest in ensuring that the significant potential of public lighting to deliver energy efficiency is realised in pursuit of the 33% energy efficiency target for all public sector bodies. The upgrading of public lighting by Local Authorities and TII, using proven energy efficient technologies, will be an important project in the forthcoming Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

A National Public Lighting Steering Group was established in 2014 to provide strategic direction and further impetus for the upgrading of public lighting in Ireland. The Group is chaired by the City & County Managers Association CCMA) and includes representatives from TII, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and My Department. 

Under the leadership of CCMA and TII, and with funding support from both of those bodies, work is currently underway on preparation of inventories of current lighting assets across the various authorities. This will enable procurement of the upgrade of the lighting stock to deliver energy efficiencies and cost and maintenance savings for the relevant public bodies. I understand that that inventory and cost information will be issued in the context of that procurement exercise.

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he plans to introduce Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant assistance for homes built after 2006. [8981/16]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Since 2009 the Better Energy programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, has provided over €400 million for energy efficiency upgrades in almost 300,000 homes, supporting an average of 2,300 jobs per annum in the construction sector. The aim of the programme is to improve the energy efficiency of homes built prior to the introduction of more energy efficient building standards.

Dwellings constructed on or after 1 July 2006 are subject to Statutory Instrument No. 873 of 2005, Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations and subsequent revisions. These regulations, transposing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), require all new homes to meet certain energy efficiency standards. These standards include limiting the CO2 emissions associated with energy use, limiting heat loss through the fabric of the building, controlling the output of the space heating, hot water systems and limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air. Therefore, homes constructed in accordance with this legislation do not require the type of upgrades supported by the Better Energy Programme. Consequently, there are no plans to include homes built after 2006 in the Better Energy Programme.

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