Brendan Griffin
Question:1516. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1891/17]
View answerTuesday, 17 January 2017
Questions (1516)
Written answers
As I have outlined previously for the Deputy, progress is continuing to be made in relation to the energy efficient upgrades of national public lighting assets.
Upgrading Ireland's public lighting infrastructure is central to the achievement of the challenging public sector target of a 33% reduction in energy usage by 2020. Given the scale of the retrofitting required, a co-ordinated effort is necessary if we are to achieve this target. The process must be effectively planned, co-ordinated and managed to ensure that the optimal national strategy and project pipeline is devised and implemented so as to ensure economies of scale (particularly in terms of procurement and project management), value for money for the tax payer and efficiency of works.
It is for this reason that it is essential to have those best placed to devise and manage this project in place to ensure its success. The National Public Lighting Steering Group, which is charged with the task of co-ordinating, driving and overseeing this process, consists of representatives from the City & County Management Association (CCMA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and therefore has the requisite level of expertise and experience to ensure that the optimal solution and plan of action is developed and implemented. The Group is also fully supported by officials from my Department, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).