Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the methods used to collect data on solid fuel volumes sold nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is responsible for compiling Ireland’s energy statistics and preparing the National Energy Balance. The Energy Balance records all energy use in Ireland, in a given year, showing the quantity and type of energy used and the sectors in which it was used.The SEAI uses a number of sources to collect and estimate data on solid fuel usage for inclusion in the Energy Balance. These include surveys under the Energy Statistics Regulation of 2008, carbon tax excise data provided by Revenue, Environmental Protection Agency Emissions Trading Scheme data and Central Statistics Office import data. SEAI have worked with the CSO to develop methodologies to estimate sales not covered by the sources available, and continue to work to improve the accuracy and quality of their data.

SEAI is also working with the EPA on a project to research solid fuel used in the residential sector and expect results from this in the next 18-24 months.  These results may also be used to verify and possibly enhance the current methodology. 

Further information and the most recent data is available from the SEAI and on their website: https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/energy-data/.