Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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90. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has plans to ensure the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will regulate the prices charged to consumers on district heating systems; if he has plans to change the current charging system that apply to district heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28759/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The appropriate regulation of District Heating is critical to ensure clarity in relation to the rights and obligations of consumers, and to provide market certainty to operators. It also allows for currently unregulated group heating schemes, which are generally smaller than district heating schemes and single building or housing scheme focussed, to be brought into the regulatory framework.

The report of the District Heating Steering Group, established by my Department last year, will be brought to Government in the coming weeks. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, was represented on the Steering Group. The Report will contain recommendations for the development of the district heating sector underpinned by an appropriate policy and regulatory environment.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is independent in its functions and has been appointed as Regulator for district heating networks in accordance with requirements under the Renewable Energy Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive. As regulator for District Heating networks, CRU will initially be responsible for ensuring that relevant provisions arising from EU and national legislation are met.

The role of the regulator requires development beyond the functions assigned under EU legislation and my Department is liaising with CRU to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating into the future.