Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
132. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the next steps following the publication of the SEAI study into Carlinn Hall in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3291/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe District Heating Steering Group (DHSG) Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023 contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating.
As part of its work, the DHSG asked the SEAI to carry out a research project, using Carlinn Hall as the study location, with the aim of understanding how a typical communal heating system operates in Ireland, assessing options to retrofit low carbon heat sources including indicative costs and making recommendations for both existing and future heat networks in Ireland.
The published report contains a number of recommendations for the Carlinn Hall scheme for the short to long term, and also contains recommendations for group/communal heat networks generally and for policymakers.
Among the options for replacing the existing gas boiler, that were examined in the SEAI report, were heat pumps or a biomass boiler. Grants may be available in that regard and the SEAI’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), for example, offers installation grants to support investment in renewable heating systems. A grant under the SSRH could provide funding of up to 40% for investment in renewable heating systems using a heat pump.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the scheme in question is privately owned and managed, and implementation of any of the recommendations specific to Carlinn Hall would be a matter for the relevant parties to decide upon.
The Department has noted the policy related considerations of the report and will continue to progress implementation of the Government approved District Heating Steering Group Report recommendations, including the development of an appropriate regulatory and legal framework for the district heating sector.
