Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
115. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends to implement a just transition and mixed technology approach for existing gas and oil home-heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11143/24]
View answerThe Government has, in the Climate Action Plan, committed to the acceleration of the decarbonisation of heating by, among other actions, publishing a Heat Policy Statement and developing of a Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating System. The Heat Policy Statement will guide the Government’s overall response to the National Heat Study across all sectors, including residential, and the requirement to ensure a just transition to renewable heat sources is a crucial consideration in the design of the Roadmap for the Phase Out of Fossil Fuel Heating Systems.
In 2023, the Government established a Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce to accelerate and drive delivery in relation to retrofitting, renewable heat, district heat, decarbonisation and overall energy use needs of the building stock. The development of the Heat Policy Statement and Roadmap for the Phase Out of Fossil Fuel Heating Systems both fall under the remit of the Taskforce.
Decarbonisation of the residential built environment must be done in a manner that is consistent with the principles of a just transition and considers the needs of particular groups. In terms of decarbonising new dwellings, Part L of the Building Regulations has phased out fossil fuel boilers as the primary heating system in new dwellings by advancing regulatory performance requirements. As such heat pumps are now the main heating system in most new dwellings.
To decarbonise existing dwellings, the SEAI offers a range of home energy grants, including grants for the installation of a heat pump. In 2022, grant support increased significantly from €3,500 to up to €6,500. In the period 2019-2023 almost 10,600 heat pumps have been installed under the SEAI energy efficiency upgrade schemes.
To support the just transition of heating decarbonisation, my Government has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting those least able to afford retrofit. The Climate Action Plan commits to continuing this work. In addition, the National Residential Retrofit Plan and Housing for All offer opportunities for employment and upskilling in sustainable construction. Five NZEB/Retrofit Centres of Excellence nationwide offer free and flexible upskilling and reskilling programmes to meet this demand, and assist with entry into a new and growing industry.
