Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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125. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on the work of the centre of excellence supporting the development of a pipeline of potential district heating projects. [30339/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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District heating is a proven technology that can decarbonise the built environment, diversify fuel sources for heat and improve quality of life. Government policy recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. This is underpinned by the findings of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) 2022 National Heat Study which concluded that a substantial portion of heat demand in Ireland could be met by district heating.

The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by Government and subsequently published in 2023. The report contains a suite of recommendations to support the development of district heating in Ireland, one of which is to establish a National District Heating Centre of Excellence (CoE) within the SEAI.

The National District Heating CoE guides and supports the development and implementation of district heating projects across Ireland by public, private and utility developers. The aim of the CoE is to centralise the approach to district heating, ensuring balanced and timely delivery. The centre also assists my Department in the preparation of legislation, economic analysis and development and implementation of a long-term strategy for district heating in Ireland.

Outside of the major projects currently being led by South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council, there is a strong pipeline of potential district heating projects, both within Dublin and at a regional level. The majority of projects in the pipeline are in the early stages of development.

My Department and the District Heating CoE are working with project sponsors at all stages to progress these projects. The CoE have recently launched a dedicated district heating webpage and feasibility template to assist project sponsors. Furthermore, Local Authorities can now avail of pathfinder funding for feasibility studies, with a number of Local Authorities having already availed of this support stream.

My Department, with support from the CoE, is also currently preparing a business case seeking to establish future State funding for the period 2026 to 2030 to support efficient district heating projects in suitable locations throughout Ireland.