Renewable Energy Generation

Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Questions (731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 738)

Barry Ward

Question:

731. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [30700/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

732. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [30718/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

733. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [30738/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

734. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [30755/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

735. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the merits of installing 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. [30777/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

738. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [30846/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 731, 732, 733, 734, 735 and 738 together.

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

My Department does not have a solar policy in place however, in September 2025, a decarbonisation assessment roadmap reports at our Newtown Road, Co. Wexford and our Ballina, Co. Mayo offices was commissioned. In February 2026, my Department also commissioned a decarbonisation assessment roadmap report for the Custom House, Dublin office. The reports were carried out by an SEAI registered energy auditor. The purpose was to develop decarbonisation roadmaps that supports my Department in meeting the Government’s 2030 public sector targets:

• 50% improvement in energy efficiency (versus 2009 baseline), and

• 51% reduction in CO2 emissions (versus 2016–2018 baseline)

The reports identified specific opportunities relating to the installation of Solar Panels in these locations to reduce both energy use and emissions. Subsequently, my Department has submitted business cases for Smaller Capital Projects to the Office of Public Works relating to these potential project opportunities.

My Department has solar panels on the following buildings:

• Clara Bog Visitor Centre

• Muckross House, Killarney National Park

• Connemara National Park Visitor Centre

• Custom House, Dublin

Question No. 732 answered with Question No. 731.

Question No. 733 answered with Question No. 731.

Question No. 734 answered with Question No. 731.

Question No. 735 answered with Question No. 731.