601 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of energy used running his Department in the year 2002; the cost of doing so in 2006; the quantity of energy used in each of these years to which this cost relates; and his plans to reduce this usage as a contribution to meeting concerns regarding climate change. [9828/07]

Supply contracts for my Department's electricity, gas and oil requirements are negotiated by the Office of Public Works (OPW) through the Government Supplies Agency. The total energy cost in 2002 amounted to €1,518,923. The total energy cost in 2006 amounted to €2,715,144. Figures in relation to the exact quantities of energy that these figures represent are not readily available.

While overall responsibility for technical matters and energy audits are a matter for the OPW, the Department is conscious of the need to reduce energy usage, both for economic and environmental reasons. In this context, last month, in conjunction with the OPW, a pilot energy audit and conservation programme commenced at five of the Department's offices. OPW estimates that this will achieve a reduction of 10% in energy usage and it is intended to extend the project to cover all of the Department's offices.