Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2016
321. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public lights and the cost, by county, in tabular form; his plans to retrofit public lighting and to invest in alternative light sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8964/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision and maintenance of public lighting is the responsibility of each individual local authority and in the case of motorways Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
In my role as Energy Minister, I have an interest in ensuring that the significant potential of public lighting to deliver energy efficiency is realised in pursuit of the 33% energy efficiency target for all public sector bodies. The upgrading of public lighting by Local Authorities and TII, using proven energy efficient technologies, will be an important project in the forthcoming Public Sector Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
A National Public Lighting Steering Group was established in 2014 to provide strategic direction and further impetus for the upgrading of public lighting in Ireland. The Group is chaired by the City & County Managers Association CCMA) and includes representatives from TII, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and My Department.
Under the leadership of CCMA and TII, and with funding support from both of those bodies, work is currently underway on preparation of inventories of current lighting assets across the various authorities. This will enable procurement of the upgrade of the lighting stock to deliver energy efficiencies and cost and maintenance savings for the relevant public bodies. I understand that that inventory and cost information will be issued in the context of that procurement exercise.
