Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to report on progress to retrofit traditional and historical buildings; if district heating will play a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17705/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is responsible for maintaining some of Ireland’s most important and iconic structures, a diverse range of nationally and internationally significant historic heritage properties including 780 National Monuments, 32 National historic visitor sites, over 100 stone buildings in Dublin which are home to Government, State Agencies and National Cultural Institutions. In addition, the OPW maintains a portfolio of historic buildings nationwide, which house Garda stations, Departmental offices, educational facilities, lodges and visitor centres.

In December 2019, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal, in which the renovation of both public and private buildings was highlighted as a key initiative to drive energy efficiency in the sector and deliver on climate objectives.

To assist in the approach to improving the energy efficiency of OPW owned traditionally built heritage properties, my Office has been developing a guidance document, ‘Approaches to Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care’ which is funded by the Department of Public expenditure, NDP delivery, which is due to be launched next month.

The OPW has just completed the refurbishment and energy renovation of Block M in Dublin Castle, as a pilot using this draft guidance document. In addition, there is ongoing collaboration between the OPW and other organisations; including SEAI through our participation on the steering group of the FabTrads Study to review the performance of traditional building fabric and we have partnered with Limerick City Council to secure EU TSI funding, for the Deep Energy Renovation Of Historic Buildings In Ireland project.

The National Development Plan, supported by the Programme for Government, commits to a once in-a-generation investment in the renovation and redevelopment of our National Cultural Institutions. As the technical lead on the NCI programme the OPW has a central focus on the objectives of the Climate Action Plan including decarbonisation and is incorporating innovative retrofitting initiatives as a key driver to the investment scheme.

The Office of Public Works in addition to the development of the guidelines, pilot studies and NCI programme is continuously engaged in a programme of maintenance and renovation works to the everyday but equally important historic buildings in our care. Boiler replacements and heating systems upgrades, roof repairs, the installation of appropriate breathable insulations, window and door repair / replacement, the installation of solar collectors PV panels and other renovation works improve / repair building fabric and result in improved energy efficiency and building performance.

The OPW has been innovative in the use of district heating systems in Ireland. A district heating system, which utilises biomass (wood pellets) renewable energy, serves the Leinster house complex, government buildings and 3 of the city centre cultural institutions which reduces carbon and increases efficiency. There is ambition to continually seek to utilise/improve this district heating systems that all buildings served by this system will benefit from.

It is envisaged that District Heating will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of heating systems in Traditional Buildings as interventions to reduce heat demand by upgrading building fabric can be limited. Changing the heating source to district heating from renewable energy has the potential to provide a solution for these building types. The OPW is engaging with district heating utility providers regarding planned schemes in some larger urban areas. This process will continue as plans for district heating schemes are further developed.