383 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a scheme to ensure that all new civic buildings will have their energy requirements provided by green energy methods or systems; if he will examine the possibility of supporting a programme to retrofit existing public buildings with green energy systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45478/09]

Under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006, the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of alternative energy systems for new buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000 m2 must be considered at the design stage. These systems include biomass boilers and Combined Heat & Power (CHP) systems.

The Building Regulations 2008, Technical Guidance Document, Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy — Buildings other than Dwellings), requires consideration to be given to the use of renewable energy, e.g. solar water heating, and to heat recovery from other processes, where applicable. In compliance with the 2006 and 2008 Regulations, it is the policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to conduct a feasibility study on the utilisation of renewable energy technologies in all new buildings over 1,000 m2 as part of the design process.

The OPW has installed a number of biomass boiler systems and Solar Panel systems in both new and existing buildings where it has been shown to be both technically and economically feasible. This practice will continue in the future.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has recently prioritised work through the statutory Building Regulations Advisory Board to establish realisable targets for reductions in primary energy and CO2 emissions for buildings in all sectors of the economy, not least civic buildings, with a view to upgrading the requirements in Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations in 2010. The work programme currently under way will inform the development of a programme for continuous improvement in Part L requirements in coming years with a view to achieving a Carbon Neutral building standard for buildings other than dwellings, including civic buildings, by 2016.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the public sector leads the way on energy efficiency with a mandatory programme of efficiency measures, including the sole use of energy efficient lighting and heating in offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings to produce 33% energy savings by 2020.

I published the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in May of this year setting out the actions being taken by Government to achieve 20% energy efficiency savings right across the economy by 2020, including the more ambitious target of 33% for the public sector. Given the challenge presented by the national target and more importantly, the opportunities for considerable savings in energy costs and emissions reductions, it is important that the public sector fulfils an exemplar role.

As part of the mechanisms for delivery of the National Action Plan, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has been tasked with coordinating public sector actions and with monitoring and recording the energy and CO2 savings achieved.

In 2009, SEI launched a €6 million programme that offers grant assistance to the business and public sectors. The programme allows important cost-cutting energy efficiency measures to be installed at significantly reduced cost to businesses across the country. Over 80 projects are currently underway under the programme. As a result of the work carried out, annual savings are expected to be approximately €2.6 million, alongside 12kt CO2 reductions.

A dedicated support programme has also been established by SEI offering free energy management training, advice and support to businesses and public sector bodies that are willing to show a commitment to becoming more energy efficient. The Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme is designed as the main delivery mechanism for coordinating and encouraging energy efficiency actions by our public sector bodies. It is providing free energy assessments of up to 400 public buildings in 2009. It is also providing professional advice on energy management and energy efficiency improvement measures and aims to train 150 public sector building managers this year. SEI is also developing best practice guidance materials and facilitating specialist workshops on matters such as public street lighting, water services, and ICT.

Regulations are currently being finalised in my Department that will include new energy efficient public procurement rules and these will be in place in the coming months. These new rules will require public bodies to purchase or lease only plant and equipment across a diverse range of technologies that are listed on SEI's database of highly energy efficient products. This database was developed as part of the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) Scheme for energy efficient technologies. The ACA Scheme allows businesses to make the right economic decisions that will support ongoing savings whilst increasing cash-flow in the year of purchase. Companies can now write off the full capital cost of energy efficient equipment in the year of purchase. The ACA scheme currently covers equipment accounting for at least 60% of the energy used by industry in Ireland.

SEI is also tasked in these regulations with producing general guidelines on energy efficient procurement and these will be progressed in conjunction with the new OPW National Public Procurement Office.

Next year will also see the design and introduction of a new Programme which will involve the promotion of both existing and innovative energy services by energy companies in Ireland. This Programme will significantly reduce energy costs and related greenhouse gas emissions in homes, businesses and the public sector across the country whilst creating employment and developing a market for energy services in Ireland.