Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
666. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if there are solar panels in place on the rooftop or within the grounds of his Department building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30692/26]
View answer667. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30710/26]
View answer668. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has a solar panel policy in place in relation to the installation of solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30730/26]
View answer669. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the merits of installing solar panels on all buildings operated and owned by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30747/26]
View answer676. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding any buildings operated and owned by his Department that have solar panels in place to support the energy demands of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30838/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 667, 668, 669 and 676 together.
My Department is committed to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and maximising the use of renewable energy within the buildings it operates, in partnership with the Office of Public Works. Policies relating to the installation of solar panels on office buildings are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, which owns the buildings.
My Department’s Headquarters in Dublin are in a Near Net Zero building, which primarily uses heat pumps for thermal energy. A woodchip boiler will be installed in the Department’s Killarney office this summer. My Department also has staff based in Tom Johnson House in Dublin, which it shares with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, which has solar panels on the roof.
Solar policies and the installation of solar panels in bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for those bodies. However, my Department works closely with these bodies to contribute to the national climate change mitigation effort. Additionally, my Department has funded works to improve energy efficiency in sectors under its remit, for example the installation of solar panels at sports facilities under the Community Sports Facilities Fund.
As set out in my Department's Climate Action Roadmap 2025, published on the Department's website, my Department has met the key climate targets in the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, and has defined time-bound actions to progress to compliance with all the energy efficiency, climate action, and sustainability commitments in that Mandate. My Department also contributes to implementing the national Climate Action Plan, and to activating climate engagement and awareness across society including through cultural and sporting participation.
