Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress his Department has achieved in reducing its carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51131/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is a policy organisation with no manufacturing or production facilities, no transport fleet and business travel is undertaken primarily through the use of public transport infrastructure. As the main offices where my Department is located are heritage buildings with Protected Structure legislative status, the options for energy performance efficiency gains are limited and offer little scope in terms of facility upgrades and retrofits. Nevertheless, my Department strives to effect tangible reductions in its carbon footprint by active engagement with the Energy Section of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) through its Public Sector Energy programme.

My Department has completed quite significant lighting replacement projects which provide the benefits of better lighting and occupancy detection systems whilst also minimising energy consumption and maintenance costs through the use of new technology LED lighting. There have been other initiatives such as using energy-efficient pump technologies and also energy awareness programmes delivered to staff. In the short-to-medium term, it is envisaged that two more lighting projects will take place; this will complete the lighting upgrades of the Department’s offices. My Department is also looking at other energy reduction options such as the use of heat pumps and heat recovery systems; however this work is at feasibility analysis stage.

The Department of Finance actively participates in the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme, reporting all of its energy consumption through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Monitoring and Reporting online system. Since 2009, Energy Efficiency has improved by 11.3% up to 2016 in the Department towards the 2020 target of 33%. Overall, taking account of the Energy Group headed by my Department, including the Department itself, we have achieved 21% energy savings to end-2016, which are the latest figures available. These energy efficiencies translate into meaningful power consumption reductions, with consequent benefits in terms of CO2/kWh emission reductions.

My Department also engages with OPW’s Architectural and Engineering Services Divisions on identification of projects that will assist in achieving additional energy efficiencies and it is an active participant in the Office of Public Works (OPW) “Optimising Power @ Work” campaign.

In addition, my Department participates in the State-led schemes that assist in reducing Ireland's carbon footprint more generally, including participation in the cycle-to-work and the travel-tax saver schemes, waste management and the promotion of recycling.

In conclusion, my Department is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through all available options, embedding energy efficiency into the culture of the organisation and continuing to support and progress energy management initiatives across our office locations, including energy awareness activities for staff.