Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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87. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [47595/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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My Department is a participant in the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme and reports annually to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, who publish an annual report on progress achieved for all public sector bodies.

Since the baseline year of 2009 to end 2017, my Department has recorded a 32.4% energy saving for office accommodation and is on course to meet the target of a 33% reduction by 2020.

Improvements in energy efficiency to date have been achieved through an ongoing staff awareness programme and initiatives such as automated shutdown of PCs. The Department engages with the Office of Public Works in its "Optimising Power @ Work" scheme and in building upgrades for improved energy performance e.g. lighting replacement programmes.