The Office of Public Works (OPW) has officially opened the Kilcarn Government Offices in Navan, Co Meath. The campus hosts a range of Government Departments and agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Education, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Probation Service and the National Parks and Wildlife Services.

Supported by the European Union's Next Generation EU funding, the extensive upgrade has turned the building into a contemporary, energy-efficient workplace, illustrating how sustainability, innovation and forward-thinking design can be integrated into the renovation of the State's property portfolio.

Minister of State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin "Boxer" Moran T.D. stated: "We are proud to lead the way in sustainable infrastructure projects that not only improve the functionality of our building portfolio but also contribute positively to the environment and local biodiversity. The Kilcarn Government Offices renovation project is a testament to the commitment of the OPW to deliver fit-for-purpose office accommodation that prioritises sustainability, energy efficiency and life cycle costing. The project not only enhances the workplace environment for public servants but also contributes to Ireland's climate action and biodiversity objectives".

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The refurbishment includes a redesigned façade to improve thermal performance, removing the need for air conditioning and lowering operational energy use. A high-efficiency heat pump system combined with PV solar panels reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports a shift to clean, renewable energy. As a result, the building's energy rating has improved from a D to an A.

Biodiversity has been prioritised through the installation of swift nesting boxes within the façade. These feature internal cavities and purpose-sized entrances to support swift colonies, with a speaker system added to attract the birds to their new homes.

Delivered on time through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), with support from the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (EU RRF), the scheme underlines the OPW's commitment to providing sustainable, energy-efficient and fit-for-purpose workplaces for civil servants.