Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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758. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current position regarding submitting proposals to the European Union for a grant scheme for the provision of wood pellet burners in houses and for commercial use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The White Paper on Energy Policy includes a commitment to introduce a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) designed to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant, diverse and indigenous renewable energy resource, including bioenergy. The Programme for Government commits to facilitating the development of bioenergy projects in Ireland and the development of the RHI.

My Department is working on the introduction of a new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support the deployment of renewable energy for commercial and industrial users of heat in the non-Emissions Trading Sector (ETS). Analysis is underway to inform the actual cost of the RHI and, while no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, biomass combustion is one of the technologies being examined as part of the assessment process. The primary aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heat sector and help to reach Ireland's 12% renewable heat target by 2020. 

Before a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is introduced, the overall costs and technologies to be supported will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. It is expected that a new scheme will become available in 2017.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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759. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for submitting proposals to the European Union for grants for the installation of solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23751/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The White Paper on Energy Policy includes a commitment to introduce a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) designed to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant, diverse and indigenous renewable energy resources, including solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The Programme for Government also commits to facilitating the development of solar energy projects.

My Department is currently undertaking in-depth economic analysis to inform the cost of a new scheme and the design of the support tariff - whether in the form of a grant payment or feed-in tariff. While no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, the cost and technical viability of solar photovoltaic (PV) - both roof-top and utility-scale - is being examined as part of the assessment process.

Once the detailed economic analysis is complete, there will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new scheme. The details of this will be advertised on the Department’s website www.dcenr.gov.ie.

The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. It is expected that a new scheme will become available in 2017.

The Deputy may be also interested to know that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland currently provides supports for the use of solar thermal heating technology to both large industry and SMEs. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.