Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has achieved in its carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51129/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Education and Skills is actively engaged in an energy management and reduction programme. Using 2009 as a benchmark year, the department has succeeded in reducing its annual consumption from 11.1 million kilowatt hours in 2009 to 7.9 million kilowatt hours in 2017. This programme has included large light replacements projects, boiler and air conditioner upgrades, behavioural change and other initiatives.

In terms of CO₂emissions expressed as kilograms of CO₂the reduction was from 2,566,644 (2009) to 1,622,771 (2017) which equates to an approximate 36% reduction.

The Department is continuing with its programme and further reductions have being achieved for 2018.