Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
1259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health her views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30775/26]
View answerThe Government’s Climate Action Plan sets binding targets for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction across the public sector.
In response, the HSE has developed an Infrastructure Decarbonisation Roadmap (revised in 2024), setting out progress to date and the pathway to meeting these targets.
Key commitments include:
Reducing energy-related GHG emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
Improving HSE energy efficiency by 50% by 2030.
Ending the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in new builds and major retrofits after 2023, except in exceptional circumstances.
Approximately 150 significant energy user (SEU) healthcare buildings account for 85% of energy use and related emissions. Dedicated energy management teams have been established at these sites, and a minor capital energy retrofit fund has been established, in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to drive energy-saving initiatives.
The HSE has also launched a Deep Energy and Carbon Retrofit Programme, in partnership with SEAI,
to deliver major upgrades at selected healthcare sites. A pilot “pathfinder” project, across 10
campuses, is testing viable technical solutions for healthcare settings, which is enabling the design of
a scalable, evidence-based energy and carbon retrofit programme.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the HSE has updated its design team requirements to align with
and exceed current building standards and mandate carbon zero-ready design for all new buildings
and major refurbishments. A net zero building and campus approach is now embedded across all
capital projects and development control plans.
