Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has given consideration to the use of biofuels in home heating (details supplied); and his plans for similar trials in Ireland. [56250/21]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will research and investigate the benefits, challenges and opportunities for domestic homes using hydrotreated vegetable oils technology. [56251/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.  

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), at the request of my Department, is currently developing a comprehensive National Heat Study which aims to examine options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in Ireland to 2050. The study is examining a range of options including for sustainable bioenergy including bioliquids.

This study is underway, and you can find further details on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/national-heat-study/

In addition, my Department carried out a consultation on the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector. Such an obligation, if introduced, would require the suppliers of fossil fuels for use in the heat sector to also supply renewable energy. The level of renewable energy that would have to be supplied would be based on a proportion of the fossil fuels supplied. There are a range of renewable energies that could be used to meet the obligation including bioliquids. The consultation is now closed and my Department is considering the responses received.