Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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31. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to gas prices paid by some residents connected to district heating systems that seem to have risen by disproportionate amounts in recent months, even compared to the general trend; if his Department will examine this; if district heat schemes are covered by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities guidelines and regulations in relation to customers having energy supplies cut-off for non-payment et cetera; if the CRU has any role in the price setting et cetera of such DHSs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46588/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In cases where apartment blocks or housing developments are supplied with heat, rather than fuel, it is the heat supplier that is the purchaser of the fuel used. Therefore, where gas is being used, a commercial tariff is applied due to scale of purchase.

Gas and electricity retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein those markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Group heating schemes do not fall under protections from disconnection for non-payment of account that apply to residential customers.

I am acutely aware of the impact that current, internationally influenced, energy price increases are having on people and families, and, for that reason, Government has put in place a series of measures with funding of €2.4 billion available to help alleviate the impact, particularly on lower income households. Further measures are being considered in the context of Budget 2023.

In addition, a District Heating Steering Group was established earlier this year. The Steering Group has met eight times to date and oversees a number of Working Groups that are conducting in-depth, solutions-based analysis of the key areas that must be addressed in order to support district heating. The Steering Group is working on recommendations to ensure that a robust governance and regulatory framework is put in place to support the expansion of district heating. This will help ensure consumer protection, and considerations in this regard encompass legacy group heating schemes that are already in operation.

Furthermore, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will soon initiate a pilot feasibility study to explore the technical viability and implications of moving existing group heating schemes to renewable energy sources. This will inform the work of the Steering Group, which is due to bring its report to Government later this year.