Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

137. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5493/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A District Heating Steering Group Report (www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f132-district-heating-steering-group/) was published in 2023 and contains a suite of recommendations for the development of district heating in Ireland.

The General Scheme of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, drafted to give effect to the recommendations of the Steering Group, was approved by Government on 30 October 2024. The Bill will seek to introduce a regulatory system for district heating that ensures consumer protection and facilitates the development of a vibrant district heating sector. The legislation has been designed to provide, inter alia, a legislative underpinning for the district heating sector, regulatory certainty for district heating project sponsors, safeguards for the State in terms of district heating network ownership, and price protections for consumers.

The Programme for Government commits to enacting legislation in 2025 to accelerate the roll out of district heating systems.