Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
474. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any public offices or public buildings are planning to relocate ahead of the 2030 target for public buildings to achieve a minimum BER rating of B where the cost of retrofitting the existing buildings is considered to exceed the cost of relocation; and if so, to provide details of each such case. [34011/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in respect of any public offices identified as relocating due to the prohibitive cost of retrofitting to meet climate and energy efficiency targets, the name and location of each building; the most recent BER rating available for each building, the estimated cost of retrofitting each building to meet at least a BER B rating, the estimated cost of relocation; and the basis on which relocation was determined to represent better value-for-money than retrofit. [34012/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for each public building that is planned to be vacated as a result of relocation linked to climate or retrofit considerations, whether the existing building will be demolished, sold, retained, or repurposed for other public or community uses; and to provide any details available on the intended future use. [34013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation where public offices are relocating due to difficulties or excessive cost associated with retrofitting existing buildings, to outline the proposed new location of each office; whether the new accommodation is newly constructed, leased, or purchased; the anticipated energy rating of the new accommodation; and the estimated total cost associated with each move, including fit out and transition costs. [34014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in view of the decision by Dublin City Council to relocate from the Civic Offices at Wood Quay (details supplied); to confirm whether similar assessments have been carried out for other major public buildings; the number of public buildings that are currently below the BER B standard; and the measures in place to ensure transparency and consistency in decisions to retrofit versus relocate. [34015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether guidelines or thresholds exist within the State's public estate strategy to determine when relocation is preferable to retrofit in achieving 2030 climate targets; and if such guidelines will be published. [34016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 474, 475, 476, 477, 478 and 479 together.
The Government’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Amendment Act 2021, the annual Climate Action Plan (CAP), and the annually updated Public Sector Climate Action Mandate commit Ireland to a strategic direction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The vision within Estate Management in the Office of Public Works (OPW) is to maximize the use, efficiency and value of the accommodation portfolio, while meeting the operational needs of clients and customers. Sustainability and climate action are at the core of the OPW’s Statement of Strategy and a key objective in this strategy is to advance climate action obligations and promote the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy.
The portfolio of the OPW is notably complex, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities and building typologies. It includes managing government office accommodation, Garda facilities, heritage sites, and flood risk, requiring specialized expertise and coordination across multiple sectors.
Retrofitting existing buildings is one of a number of interventions that are considered as part of the OPW‘s commitment to achieving national targets. The OPW has demonstrated significant success with regard to energy efficiency in its portfolio of buildings over many years. The bulk of the savings have been achieved through a large scale staff energy awareness campaign (Optimising Power @ Work). Launched in 2008 the campaign operates in over 250 large Central Government buildings which encompasses approximately 80% of the energy usage in the OPW portfolio. The campaign focuses on: Encouraging behavioural change among building occupants, Optimizing existing control systems, eliminating energy wastage. Average energy savings of over 33% have been achieved through this initiative.
To meet its strategic objectives, OPW constantly look to appraise the potential of the existing Owned accommodation portfolio for future redevelopment sites, refurbishment opportunities and potential asset recycling prospects. Each project is looked at on a case by case basis in conjunction with the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines, and relevant Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Circulars in relation to the acquisition or disposal of properties. The decision to buy, build, refurbish or relocate is subject to a number of variables, including: the business need to be addressed; the typology of the building in question; the availability of capital funding; the availability of suitable buildings or sites; the prevailing market conditions at the time; the urgency and scale attached to the accommodation request, and the duration of the requirement.
In addition to developing all new state owned buildings to a Near Zero Energy Building standard, the OPW has successfully completed a number of retrofits within its state owned portfolio in recent years which have significantly improved the environmental performance of the assets in question. This has included the retrofit of Tom Johnson House in Beggars Bush as a new headquarters for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Block J in Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Government offices in Kilcairn in Navan, Co. Meath, and Block 1 Ennis Government offices Co. Clare. In addition, work is at an advanced stage on Government offices in Renmore, Co. Galway and on 6 Ely Place in Dublin.
Finally, the OPW constantly keep its portfolio under review so it can respond to emerging business requirements of Government. The Deputy will appreciate that due to the commercially sensitive nature of future property transactions, I am unable to disclose any details in this regard.
