Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as a cheist.

National Heat Study, published by the SEAI, contains a detailed analysis that is being used by my Department to inform the development of policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland's heating and cooling sectors by 2050. I assure the Deputy that the study considered several potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of homes and, indeed, business premises. This included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogas and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks.

I am acutely aware that heat pumps are not the only solution. The roll-out of heat pumps to new dwellings is very welcome but, certainly in respect of retrofitting, there are challenges. Therefore, we must consider all options. The recommendation of the heat study is that heat pumps represent the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems and decarbonising buildings, with district heating also an option that can be widely deployed. I really want to see district heating accelerated because we have been slow on it, and that is being kind.

The national heat study has recognised the potential role of sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation, and that is being considered as part of a suite of measures to decarbonise heating. My Department is also working on the introduction of a renewable heat obligation, RHO, for the heat sector, which will stimulate demand and increase the use of renewable fuels by obligating suppliers of fossil fuels used for heat to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is from renewable sources. The work on the RHO is urgent and I want to bring it to a conclusion as quickly as possible. There will be a cost related to it but the introduction of the RHO is critical in supporting exactly what the Deputy has asked for today, namely the use of alternatives to heat pumps.

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