Ms Margie McCarthy:

I thank the Deputy and I ask the committee to excuse me as I am recovering from a bit of a cold. I refer to Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan’s points on the recent IPCC report.

The National Heat Study is a comprehensive analysis of how we use heat in Ireland. It looked at all of the technologies that are available to us and then modelled four scenarios to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from heating by 2050 in line with our national goals.

In particular, on the residential side, we are aware that this is the biggest demand piece within the heat sector. In the residential sector we know that particular types of housing, such as detached houses, for example, are responsible for two thirds of the emissions here, due, in particular, to oil usage.

On the Deputy’s question on the B2 target, as my colleague Dr. Byrne has explained, we are working very closely now with the Government. The heat study was launched back in February. One of the key, absolute findings of the study, and why I have mentioned Deputy O’Sullivan, is it is saying that we need to deploy technologies that are available at scale and at pace immediately to curb emissions and not to wait for technologies.

Part of that is the deployment of heat pumps and we have already heard about the targets for those. For example, one study we will be looking at and we are about to launch with our colleagues in the OSS and retrofit team examines the heat loss indicator in homes in trying to ensure, first, that the fabric upgrades are optimal to deliver in cost-effectiveness by not increasing running and electricity costs within homes but still delivering on comfort and health benefits, as outlined by my colleagues earlier. The heat loss indicator study will look at whether we are at the optimal level requirement in what is known as a heat loss indicator within the home, which is a measure to heat the home and to retain it to allow heat pump technology, or similar low-cost, low-carbon technologies, to be deployed.

That will play out and, as Dr. Byrne has said, that will be an evolution of the retrofit programme in respect of the requirements we have within grants programmes. These will obviously feed in to future climate action plans and through the Department for consideration of these targets.