Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
256. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the actions and engagements his Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and to increase energy efficiency in all buildings under his Department. [40923/22]
View answerMy department continues to actively engage in measures to improve efficiencies in energy, waste, water and recycling usage at all locations including active participation in the OPW Optimising Power @Work programme. My department is required to gather and submit energy related data for SEAI monitoring and reporting and uses the data obtained to highlight areas for possible improvement.
The table below outlines the variety of actions and engagements initiated by my department to maximise energy performance.
|
Energy Initiative |
Location |
Year |
Status |
|
Motion sensors installed for self-activation of lights |
Clare Street |
2009 |
Complete |
|
Upgrade of heating boilers in Leeson Lane to improve energy efficiency |
Leeson Lane |
2009 |
Complete |
|
Installation of new energy efficient boilers and pumps |
Clare Street |
2012 |
Complete |
|
Installation of thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) to regulate the heat from radiators |
Clare Street |
2012 |
Complete |
|
Upgrade of lighting installation in car park to include motion sensors |
Leeson Lane |
2014 |
Complete |
|
Upgrade lighting in the Leeson Lane complex to LED lighting |
Leeson Lane |
2018 |
Complete |
|
Upgrade of multifunction printers to managed print services |
Dublin & Regional offices (except Shannon) |
2018 |
Complete |
|
Installation of Building Management System (BMS) to monitor and manage the mechanical and electrical services in the building (Nurses Home) |
Leeson Lane |
2018 |
Complete |
|
Liaise with the catering provider to monitor food waste and reuse insofar as possible |
Leeson Lane |
2018 |
Continuous |
|
Installed filtered water in main taps (Nurses Home) to reduce the need for bottled water |
Leeson Lane |
2018 |
Complete |
|
Implemented single use plastic by providing water bottles and keep cups to staff |
Leeson Lane |
2019 |
Complete |
|
Implemented use of cardboard bailer for ease of recycling cardboard waste |
Leeson Lane |
2019 |
Complete |
|
Timers on burco boilers to improve on energy efficiency |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Insulation of valves in the boiler room |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Encourage staff usage of Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) that were installed in the Nurses Home building |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Installation of four electric vehicle chargers in the car park in Leeson Lane. |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Workshops with Aegis Bodies on future energy efficient projects |
Various locations |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Implement a full policy on waste segregation in the Leeson Lane complex and abolish the use of individual bins |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Promote sustainability and acknowledge environmental impact in our service contracts |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Ongoing |
|
Waste management seminar offered to all staff by Thornton's to encourage implementation of waste policy |
Leeson Lane |
2020 |
Complete |
|
Implement the use of environmental friendly paper & stationary |
Leeson Lane |
2021 |
Complete |
|
Carbon Basics Training (SEAI) offered to staff to support the carbon reduction targets as outlined in the climate action plan. |
Online |
2021 |
Complete |
|
Lagging Jackets to be fitted to Heating/Boiler system to improve on energy efficiency |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Planned |
|
Installation of eight electric bike chargers |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Complete |
|
Implemented initiatives to develop as a Cycle Friendly Employer which has resulted in the Department receiving a gold star award, the first Government department to achieve this status |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Complete |
|
Increasing bike parking capacity to encourage more staff to cycle |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Partially Completed |
|
Installation of a bike maintenance stand to encourage more staff to cycle |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Complete |
|
Installed additional bike canopy over the existing Sheffield stand to weather protect bikes |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Complete |
|
Installation of a locked bike shed for security of staff bikes |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Complete |
|
Install Solar Panels on the roof of the main block in Leeson Lane to improve on energy efficiency |
Leeson Lane |
2022 |
Planned |
