Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to announce details of the grant scheme for the installation of commercial renewable heating systems. [13741/06]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of combined heat and power installations that have been introduced in each of the past five years; the targets he is setting for the development of such power sources; and the support measures that are in place to help achieve them. [13742/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 71 together.

The total installed capacity of CHP in Ireland to end of 2004 was 290MWe, 150MWe of which relates to the recently commissioned Auginish Alumina plant. Data for 2005 are not yet available. The following table gives a breakdown of the number of CHP installations for the period 2001 to 2004 for which figures are available.

The CHP policy group established in 2004 has reported on the most suitable and appropriate environments in which CHP can usefully be implemented in Ireland, so as to maximise energy efficiency. The group comprised representatives of relevant Departments and agencies and industry representatives. Its recommendations are being considered in the context of the development of overall renewable energy policy and the Minister will launch the group's report in the coming weeks. In budget 2006 a €65 million multiannual package for renewable technologies was provided which also includes a grant aid package to incentivise the installation of CHP in the industrial, commercial and public services sector. The Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland are finalising the detailed measures and the Minister intends to launch the CHP programme as soon as possible.