Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress her Department has achieved in reducing its carbon footprint; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51124/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department is part of the Public-Sector Energy Monitoring and Reporting Programme. The Public Sector Energy Report containing the 2017 data is expected to be published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland shortly.

The indicative data from this report shows an energy savings of 43% for my Department since 2006, the baseline year used. This level of savings is amongst the highest of all Departments over the period. The Department delivered on the 2020 energy reduction target of 33% during 2015.

These savings have been achieved through a number of significant reforms which include consolidating and downsizing the Department's physical footprint and, in some instances, moving to more energy efficient locations.

Over the past three years my Department has vacated buildings at the following locations:

- 4/5 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2.

- Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.

- Parnell House, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

- Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.

In addition, the installation of more energy efficient ICT equipment and lighting along with an automated ‘PC power down’ protocol has contributed in achieving the energy efficiency reduction.

Despite exceeding the target early, the Department continues to engage in works, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, and will employ other initiatives to further reduce our carbon footprint and increase its energy efficiency in the years ahead.