Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
135. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay in the publication of the National Heat Policy Statement 2025; when he expects it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), contains detailed analysis that is being used to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland’s heating and cooling sectors to 2050. A draft Heat Policy Statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared and has undergone extensive consultation with Government Departments and Agencies. The Heat Policy Statement will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector.
As part of the drafting process, consideration was given to obligations under European Directives, including the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, which requires that certain plans and programmes, including policy statements, which are likely to have a significant impact on the environment be subject to the SEA process. A screening assessment was carried out which found that the draft Heat Policy Statement was a plan or programme for the purposes of the SEA Directive. It was, therefore, necessary to undertake a full SEA to ensure a formal, systematic evaluation of the likely environmental effects of implementing the policy.
An SEA Environmental Report has been drafted and a public consultation on the draft SEA Environmental Report and draft Heat Policy Statement is now required. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Heat Policy Statement will be submitted to Government for approval and publication.
