Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way he plans to roll-out district heating on a large scale; if legislative change will be required to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61423/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The rollout of district heating is supported by several actions under Climate Action Plan 2021.

These include establishment of a Steering Group that will oversee research to inform the development of district heating and that will make recommendations as to how the sector may be financed. The Steering Group will also make recommendations as to appropriate targets for district heating expansion, based on the National Heat Study, which is due to be published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland next month.

My Department is liaising closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and relevant agencies to develop a regulatory framework for district heating along with any legislation that may be required.

I anticipate that the Local Authorities will have a leading role in the development of district heating, as is the case with the Tallaght District Heating Scheme and the Dublin District Heating System, both of which are local authority-led and funded by the Climate Action Fund.