Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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409.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 14 May 2024, the target for heat pumps in new builds to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25235/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Fossil fuel boilers have been effectively phased out in new dwellings. Electricity heating systems, the majority of which are heat pumps, were installed in 97% of new dwellings in 2023. By comparison, fossil fuel boilers were installed in less than 3% of new dwellings in 2023 – down from 79% for the period from 2010 to 2014. It is expected that this upward trajectory will continue with heat pumps installed in practically all new dwellings to 2030.

The rapid transition to low-carbon heating systems is a result of Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) regulations introduced by my Department in 2019. These regulations have effectively phased out fossil fuel boilers in new homes. The change will significantly improve air quality in the areas where these new homes are built relative to traditional developments, providing more comfortable and energy-efficient homes, while also helping to achieve carbon reduction targets committed to in the Climate Action Plan.

The data shows Ireland is well placed ahead of new EU plans to set more ambitious energy performance requirements for both new and renovated buildings throughout the European Union with member states required to develop plans to renovate their building stock.

The ESRI began updating its research based on Census 2022 data in September 2023 to support the National Planning Framework (NPF) revision, Housing Needs Demand Assessment (HNDA) Tool update, and housing targets refresh. This updated research will inform revisions to NPF strategy and housing targets, potentially adjusting population and housing projections to 2040 and beyond. The final ESRI research will be presented to the joint ESRI/DHLGH Steering Committee in June 2024 and published soon after.