Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1110. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the actions and engagements that her Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in all buildings under her Department. [40908/22]
View answerMy Department engages with the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and undertakes actions to reduce its consumption of resources as part of the Resource Efficiency Action Plan. The key actions taken are set out in the attached table.
In co-operation with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), my Department invests in delivering on Ireland’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, and to become climate neutral no later than 2050. In the SEAI’s last Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance in 2021, my Department had recorded an overall efficiency gain of 39.4%, above the 34.1% average of all departmental groups.
List of key actions taken by the Department of Education to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions
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Promotion of Energy management and efficiency with all staff |
All offices |
|
Electrical sub-metering to monitor energy usage |
Dublin |
|
Replacement and upgrade of boilers |
Dublin |
|
Replacement of oil boilers with more efficient natural gas boilers |
Tullamore |
|
Upgrading and refurbishment of windows in heritage buildings to reduce heat loss |
Dublin |
|
Upgrading and replacement of windows for greater heat efficiency |
Tullamore |
|
Installation of more energy efficient lighting |
Main offices |
|
Replacement of hydraulic lifts to more energy-efficient traction lifts |
Dublin, Tullamore and Mullingar |
|
Replacement of Air Conditioning Unit with more efficient and environmentally friendly models |
Dublin, Tullamore |
|
Replacement of fleet of older PCs with more efficient models |
All offices |
|
Implementation of Multiple Print Services and removal of desktop printers |
Main offices |
|
Implementation of Green Public Procurement for facility and service tenders |
All offices |
|
Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points |
Dublin, Tullamore |
|
Elimination of Single Use Plastics, non-recyclable containers and packaging |
All offices |
|
Segregation of waste to separate into recyclable and compostable waste |
Main offices |
|
Sub metering of water to reduce water use |
Dublin |
|
Raising an awareness campaign to encourage energy efficiency among staff |
All offices |
|
Recycling of old ICT equipment and mobile phones |
All offices |
