Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 895: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the geothermal energy initiatives available here; his views on such technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10990/09]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Grant support is available from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) for domestic and commercial geothermal heat pump applications through the "Greener Homes" scheme and the "REHeat" scheme respectively. These programmes have had significant numbers of applicants since their launch. Geothermal heating systems are highly effective heating systems and ideally suited to Ireland. Using one unit of electricity, they can provide up to 4 units of renewable energy heat. Geothermal heat pumps are largely charged at night time. It is considered that this could offer significant benefits in terms of absorbing electricity generated from our significant wind and wave energy resources which otherwise might not be required during the low night time demand.

Deep geothermal energy is another area gathering interest in Ireland. In this process deep wells of up to 2,000m in depth are drilled in order to recover warm water from the rocks below. At present this technology is untried in Ireland but researchers are actively pursuing it. Research support is available from SEI and funding has also been made available to third-level centres of excellence by the Geological Survey of Ireland through the Griffith Awards. Funding under these awards has previously been made available to the Geophysics Research Groups at University College Dublin and University of Ulster at Coleraine.

Given the high costs and risks associated with drilling a deep bore hole as required for this technology, the Working Group on Geothermal Energy established by the Department in May 2008 is examining the regulatory and legal framework associated with large developments of this kind in order to ensure that developers are provided with the most effective path and instruction for their developments. It is anticipated that investors will be enabled to make their decisions with greater confidence as a result of increased regulatory and planning clarity for this new technology.