Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the policy in relation to the use of fossil fuel burning boiler systems in new build local authority housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38187/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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In line with Part L of the Building Regulations, the use of fossil fuel (e.g. gas) boilers is permitted in new social housing with a photovoltaic installation to achieve compliance with Part L 2019. Alternatively, heat pumps or district heating may be used where appropriate. Oil boilers with photovoltaic may be acceptable, subject to specific conditions and where cost effective relative to renewable heating systems. The use of solid fossil fuel boilers is not supported in new social housing dwellings, given the focus on better air quality, the health of occupants, and the need to reduce carbon emissions and the cost of construction and maintenance.

With the introduction of Nearly Zero Energy Building Regulations for new dwellings from 1Nov 2019, it is expected that the use of renewable heating systems will continue to increase in the specifications for all new dwellings, including social housing homes.