The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) is actively participating in the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme and reports all of its energy consumption through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Monitoring and Reporting online system.
The 2017 Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance, prepared by the SEAI, sets out details of the energy efficiency performance of public bodies in Ireland. It notes that overall, the Department's Energy Group, which comprises 9 bodies, including the Department itself, has achieved 33% energy savings to end 2016. This was more efficient than the baseline set and is on track for the 2020 target. The Department’s own energy saving of 69% is also on track for the 2020 target and has been achieved mainly by measures such as behavioural changes and better energy management and space utilisation.
The Department shares its Merrion Street headquarters with the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance undertakes the facilities management functions for both Departments in these premises and the reply in respect of that Department sets out the specific energy efficiency initiatives being undertaken there.
The majority of DPER staff outside of the Merrion Street complex are already located in energy efficient buildings or have recently moved to one and consequently there is no scope or requirement to make adjustments to them in terms of engineering solutions, retrofits, thermal glazing options and building envelope insulation etc. to achieve further significant energy efficiencies. However, the Department hopes to achieve some further improvements by continuing to embed energy efficiency into the culture of the organisation and by progressing energy awareness campaigns across its main locations.
The Department will also continue to contribute to the implementation of the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy, in conjunction with the bodies under its aegis, the Department of Finance, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the SEAI.
