Mr. Seán Armstrong:

The Deputy had some further questions. He asked what we are doing going forward to further reduce the impact of fossil fuel boilers in new dwellings. Even though we have made good progress in phasing out oil boilers and solid fuel appliances in new dwellings, we are still continuing to advance the performance requirements of the building regulations. The current revision of the building regulations takes effect on 1 November 2019. The performance requirement will be advanced to be 70% better than a 2005 dwelling. That will further drive renewables and efficient heating systems in new dwellings.

Another important element of the new regulations is that we have introduced the renewable energy ratio. Previously, the renewables requirement was based on an absolute value. We are changing that to a ratio which further facilitates the installation of renewables. We will see a further increase in renewables. In the graph that the SEAI showed earlier, one can see increases in renewables as the calculation methodology becomes more refined. The introduction of the renewable energy ratio will also facilitate greater penetration of renewables. At present, CSO data show that the rate of increase of renewables is 4% per annum. Its figures show 38% with heat pumps in the current mix, which is increasing at a rate of 4% per annum. We can conservatively say that it will continue but with the new performance requirements, it is likely to increase. In addition to advancing the performance requirements, we are also working with our colleagues in SEAI, Climate Action Ireland, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Education and Skills to build a supply chain. We have had meetings with the National Standards Authority of Ireland recently. A proposal is being developed for the NSAI board to develop a heat pump standard. That will involve extensive consultation with the industry and review of the technical detail. That kind of consultative process with the industry, developing information, will further advance the penetration of renewables in new buildings. Training will also advance the penetration of renewables.

The Deputy asked about multi-unit apartments. In the current version of the technical guidance document to support the building regulations, there is only one example of a semi-detached dwelling and how to comply. In the new technical guidance document, which will be published in the coming weeks and has been available for public consultation for the last 18 months, we have examples of apartments, including apartments with renewables. We are providing detailed guidance on how to achieve performance requirements. There was another question about when gas boilers fail or have to be upgraded. The life of a gas boiler is perhaps 20 years.