Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1022. To ask the Minister for Health the specific measures taken in her departmental offices and operations in reducing energy usage and to assist in Ireland meeting our climate targets for 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23322/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department is fully engaged with the Government's objectives to improve public sector energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions.

The reduction in energy usage target for 2030 is set at a 50% improvement on our baseline year of 2009. We are delighted to have already exceeded this target.

The reduction in carbon emissions target for 2030 is set at a 51% improvement on our baseline year of 2018. We have reduced our CO2 emissions by 28% on our baseline year and will continue to engage with the OPW and landlord to identify ways to further reduce our gap to target.

We are committed, through our Green Team, to continue to collaborate with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), our landlord, the OPW, other tenants and our staff to play our part in achieving the Government's targets for energy reduction in Miesian Plaza through 2030 and beyond.

Miesian Plaza is an extremely complex environment which incorporates a wide range of energy-efficient technologies and measures to minimise the energy footprint of the premises and achieve greater efficiencies in our energy consumption. These include low-energy fan coil units, high-efficiency air-conditioning cooling systems, thermal storage and low-energy ventilation systems.

As the lead tenant, our “Green Team” continues to promote environmental awareness and implement green strategy initiatives across the building. My Department has been awarded the gold award as a cycle friendly building and has been presented with the Silver Smarter Travel Mark by the National Transport Authority for our efforts in promoting sustainable ways of travelling to and from work. For those engaged in purchasing for and on behalf of the Department, Green Procurement guidelines have been defined and are reported on centrally.

I recognise and support my Department's contribution as critical in Ireland meeting its overall climate change goals on energy usage and emissions.