Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
141. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a non-profit district heating scheme in Ireland; and his plans to transition existing schemes to a non-profit model. [18130/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe District Heating Steering Group Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023, contains a suite of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating.
The District Heating Steering Group Report noted that, following examination of the wide range of potential ownership and operation models that are in place across Europe, decisions regarding the ownership and operating models for district heating schemes will need to be taken to determine the most appropriate model for Ireland. The analysis to inform this work is underway.
In line with the Steering Group report, a National District Heating Centre of Excellence has been established within the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to fulfil a key recommendation to centralise the approach to development of the sector to ensure balanced and timely delivery of district heating networks. My Department has worked closely with the SEAI on the design of the core functions of the Centre of Excellence which will encompass, inter alia, the development of a national strategy for the long term growth of the district heating sector and identification of the optimum financial strategy for development of the sector.
My Department will also soon bring forward proposals for legislation to provide for an appropriate regulatory and legal environment for the sector.
Having fulfilled its initial mandate, the Steering Group has now been reconstituted to focus on delivery and implementation of the Government approved Report, and it now sits under the auspices of the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce, which has been established to accelerate and drive delivery in relation to retrofitting, renewable heat, district heating and decarbonisation of the building stock.
