Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:20 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Energy the level of energy savings that have been achieved in the public sector in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Questions— Oral Answers (Resumed). - Public Sector Energy Savings.
The public sector, as the Deputy is aware, encompasses a very wide area and no overall survey has been carried out. Rather than survey such a wide area, which I am not satisfied would be cost effectve, energy conservation work has been concentrated in selected areas.
For instance, in my own Department, the installation of energy efficient light fittings has resulted in a 40 per cent saving on lighting costs in the past year. Other initiatives included the surveying of hospitals which outlined the possibilities for energy savings in these installations. This was followed up by practical examples in our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin and University College Hospital in Galway. Examinations have also been carried out in Central Government Buildings and universities, which highlighted the possibilities for savings in these areas too. Nevertheless, there is considerable further potential for energy savings in the public sector and I will continue to press for the identification and implementation of such measures as are economically and technically feasible.
As an example of the kind of action the Department has taken, tomorrow week I will be opening a seminar on new energy technologies for commercial and public sector buildings, which has been organised on behalf of the Department of Energy by Eolas. The ESB is also participating in this. It is just one further example of the practical measures which I am encouraging to ensure that the energy conservation message is understood and implemented in the public sector.
Has the Department of Energy organised an energy audit on activities of public bodies to identify areas suitable for savings? Has the Department issued a directive to all public bodies to investigate the possibility of energy savings and to carry out such savings? Is the Department prepared to provide the finance that may be necessary for public bodies to save energy?
My Department is continuously in touch with other Government Departments in the matter of the potential for energy saving. It is in close consultation with the Office of Public Works in relation to specific proposals that may be followed and measures that may be taken to accelerate the implementation and achievement of energy conservation.
Energy audits have been carried out on a sectoral basis. The proposals and recommendations that emerged from examination of those audits are disseminated through the holding of seminars to others carrying out like activities in the private and the public sectors. In this regard Eolas play a major role on behalf of the Department of Energy. Of course, the Office of Public Works seek to achieve the highest standards of energy efficiency in all new buildings, and the new buildings regulations make a major contribution there.
There is no doubt that there is room for substantial savings in the public and the private sectors. Much greater action needs to be taken at personal level and local level on the part of each citizen, each commercial enterprise and each industry. It is somewhat difficult to get that message across at a time when fuel prices are low compared to what they have been in the past. However, my Department continues to promulgate that message.
Why has the pace of energy savings in Ireland been less than half that in other European countries? Is the Minister prepared to make energy conservation a priority in his Department because of the damaging effect that the wasteful use of energy can have on the competitiveness of our economy?
I hasten to warn the Deputy about the dangers of drawing conclusions from some of the international comparisons that have been recently quoted in the newspapers. I should be pleased to communicate with the Deputy in relation to some of those figures and show her that the position in Ireland is better than it would seem. As I have already indicated, there is still need for much improvement. Energy conservation can be a very costly exercise and funds are not freely available at the present time in order to undertake much of the promotional work I would like to undertake or to introduce incentive schemes I would like to have in place in order to accelerate our energy conservation programme. The matter will be kept under constant review.
That disposes of Questions for today.