Written answers

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Biofuel Obligation Scheme

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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331. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is examining the possibility of liquid fuelled heating appliances being adapted and used with biofuel; if he is examining proposals and strategies from stakeholders regarding the decarbonisation of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30223/19]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Biofuel Obligation Scheme, administered by the National Oil Reserves Agency, is the principal support for the uptake of biofuels in Ireland. The scheme was introduced in 2010 and requires suppliers of liquid road transport fuel to ensure that biofuels make up a certain percentage of annual fuel sales.

A public consultation on the development of the scheme is planned for later this year. This will include the potential inclusion of the heat sector in the Biofuel Obligation Scheme, based on the level of use and availability of suitable biofuels.

The Climate Action Plan has identified sectoral targets that will deliver the carbon abatement we need to achieve by 2030. For homes, the target identified is to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating B2 and to replace 400,000 existing heating systems with heat pumps.

The Plan commits Government to developing a new retrofitting delivery model, which will group retrofits together to achieve economies of scale, leverage private finance, and ensure easy pay-back methods. Proposals are currently being developed and my Department will be examining successful policies and strategies from other jurisdictions and consulting with stakeholders during this development process.

The Climate Action Plan recognises that the National Dialogue on Climate Action will drive action at community level, including focusing on youth activities as well as facilitating reporting back to regional gatherings on initiatives undertaken locally. The Plan itself is to be seen as a rolling process for effective consultation and implementation of change an I am currently engaged in a series of consultative meetings to explain the approach taken, hear views and take on ideas.

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