Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is part of the public sector energy reporting programme; if so, the percentage of improvement in energy efficiency to date that has been achieved; the way in which this was achieved; if his Department noted a decrease in energy efficiency in view of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for energy efficiency targets; if targets will be met by the 2020 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47592/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is part of the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme.

The Department has achieved a saving of 38% from 2009 to 2017. This is in excess of the public sector target of 33% by 2020, as set out in the National Energy Efficiency Plan.

This was achieved in the Department including by the establishment of Energy Officers and teams; regular reviews of energy consumption through monthly and weekly reporting and the establishment of Energy Performance Indicators to further analyse energy performance. Poster and sticker campaigns have been launched at our buildings to promote energy efficiency; behavioural shifts encouraged in terms of switching off equipment and improving general awareness of energy use. Funding for new more efficient equipment in passport production and co-operation from senior management, ICT services and staff have also been important factors in this progress.

This Department is projected to achieve the target of 33% savings by the 2020 deadline.