Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1044. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the special measures her Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [20300/22]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are part of the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and use the online national energy monitoring and reporting (M&R) system to report annual energy performance data.
According to the most recent SEAI Annual Report 2021 on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance, as at end-2020, an energy saving of 42% was recorded by my Department against the set 2009 baseline figures, which surpasses the 2020 Public Sector Energy target of 33%.
To help achieve these results my Department participates in the Optimising Power at Work energy-saving scheme organised by the Office of Public Works.
We have upgraded and replaced old premises, plant and equipment which use energy inefficiently. Our current focus is on upgrading to LED lighting and replacement of inefficient heating/cooling systems, and these projects have been completed in a number of locations.
Energy efficiency training is provided to key staff with responsibility for accommodation, who actively monitor and report local consumption each month to determine prevailing trends in energy use across the Department’s offices, and so that corrective action can be taken where required.
My Department has developed a set of energy efficient guidelines for staff, for the management of the energy usage of heating, lighting, air and ventilation systems (HVAC), together with a computer/peripheral equipment shutdown procedure. Department staff are regularly reminded to switch off office equipment and pay attention to their local energy consumption. They are also encouraged to submit online their comments or ideas on improving energy efficiency.
I am pleased to say that in June 2021 my Department was the first government Department awarded certification in ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management. ISO 50001 is an internationally-recognised standard in best-practice energy management. Successful completion of regular audits is required to retain this accreditation.
