Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the transition to renewable heat; if he has considered measures to increase the use of biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17514/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Heat Study, published by the SEAI, contains detailed analysis that is being used to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland’s heating and cooling sectors by 2050. The study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwellings and business premises. This included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks.

The recommendation of the heat study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems, with district heating also being an option that can be widely deployed.

My Department is working on the introduction of an obligation for the heat sector. The Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) will stimulate demand and increase the use of renewable fuels in the existing heating sector by obligating suppliers of fossil fuels, used for heat, to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is from a renewable source. Under current proposals, all renewable fuels used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive, including bioliquids, will be considered eligible for certification under the RHO.

Furthermore, a Heat Policy Statement will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector. A draft Statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared and has undergone extensive consultation with Government Departments and Agencies. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Report has been completed, and a public consultation on the SEA Report and the draft Heat Policy Statement is now being prepared. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Heat Policy Statement will be submitted to Government for approval and publication.