Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the biomass strategy, if any, the Government has as part of its effort to achieve net-zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38879/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I have no function in relation to this matter. The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has responsibility for the development of policies and measures related to biomass development.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans to implement district heating across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38880/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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District heating is a proven technology internationally that can: help decarbonise the built environment; diversify fuel sources for heat; maximise waste heat from a variety of sources; and, improve energy security and affordability. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s National Heat Study 2022 found that up to 54% of heat demand in Ireland could be provided by district heating from renewable heat.

Ireland’s first large scale district heating network in Tallaght was opened in April this year. Using waste heat from a data centre, that project is now providing low-carbon heat to South Dublin County Council public buildings and the Technological University Dublin, with further plans to provide heat to affordable apartments. My Department is also aware of plans in other areas to develop district heating schemes.

To facilitate delivery of district heating projects, and in order to meet the Climate Action Plan 2023 target to deliver up to 2.7TWh of district heating by 2030, a District Heating Steering Group was established to coordinate the development of district heating policy. The Steering Group Report, which sets out an achievable pathway for expansion of district heating, was approved by Government in July and subsequently published. gov.ie - District Heating Steering Group (www.gov.ie).

In publishing this Report, Government recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals and my Department, working with SEAI, local authorities and other stakeholders, is working to implement the recommendations contained in the Report.