Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
837. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of requirements for public owned buildings and State agencies to meet a 33% energy efficiency improvement by 2020, the specific type of energy efficient water urinal systems that have been identified by his Department, as being suitable to help the Government to meet the targets in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28428/15]
View answerGeneral responsibility for the promotion of energy efficiency rests with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, who has published Ireland’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2014 which is available at the following weblink – http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/20F27340-A720-492C-8340-6E3E4B7DE85D/0/DCENRNEEAP2014publishedversion.pdf. The plan details the broad range of measures in place or being planned by a range of departments and agencies with a view to improving energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. Specific responsibilities within the remit of my Department in this regard include setting energy performance standards under the Building Regulations and promoting energy efficiency in social housing.
The plan includes a commitment that the public sector would aim to achieve a 33% improvement in its energy efficiency performance by 2020. The target applies to all energy consumed by public bodies including energy sourced from electricity, fossil fuels, renewables, transport fuels and fuels used for plant and machinery.
All public bodies, including local authorities, are responsible for devising and implementing their own plans as necessary to meet their shared obligations in line with the above-mentioned regulations. There is no obligation in this context to use any specific type of energy efficient water urinal systems and public procurement requirements would in any case generally preclude the specification or promotion of specific products or systems. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and a network of local energy authorities are available to advise and assist public bodies and local authorities in relation to meeting their required energy efficiency targets. SEAI and the Department of Education have published an information factsheet on water conservation in schools which is available at the following weblink: - http://www.energyineducation.ie/Energy_In_Education/Information_for_Schools/Resources_and_links/Water_Conservation_Factsheet.pdf.
The guidance therein in relation to water closets and urinals is also of interest more generally to buildings other than schools.
