Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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525. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the proposed renewable heat incentive scheme following the completion of the public consultation; when he expects the scheme to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14797/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Energy White Paper Ireland's Transition to Low Carbon Energy Future and in the Programme for Government, as the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland’s renewable energy obligations.

I announced the final public consultation on the design and implementation of the new RHI in January 2017, and I welcome the large volume of submissions received by my Department by the closing date of 3 March and the level of interest in this scheme. All submissions are currently being reviewed and will be used to inform the final design of the scheme.

Before any RHI scheme 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 at the end of 2017.