Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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276. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, to outline how this will be regulated; what safety measures are in place; the measures being taken to ensure that these types of connections are accessible and affordable rather than just available to those with the greatest means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, to outline the framework for gaining the consent of local communities and landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43317/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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279. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, to outline the framework as regards ensuring that the same technical and safety standards as the national electricity grid will be in place, and that these will be capable of being taken in charge by the system operators [43319/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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281. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the additional resources, if any, that will be provided to the CRU for its regulatory role with regard to private wires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43321/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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282. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, the threshold for a new grid-based solution not being available thus allowing access to a private connection. [43322/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 277, 279, 281 and 282 together.

Having received Government approval, on 4 July 2024, my Department published a set of guiding principles for the development of a policy on private wires. In line with the principles, I secured Government approval for a new policy statement on private wires on 15 July.

As set out in the policy statement, private wires will be built to the same technical and safety standards as the National Electricity Grid and will be capable of being taken in charge by the System Operators. Allowing for private wires will create significant additional responsibilities for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which will be responsible for permitting Private Wires, and ensuring that they are built and operated to the appropriate standards. The legal powers and resources of CRU will have to be amended appropriately.

This policy will allow for the construction and operation of private wires in four specific scenarios where it is clear that allowing private investment in an electricity line is the most efficient approach to a new connection and is in the public interest. However, as set out in the policy principles, the National electricity grid will remain the preferred way to connect generators and customers of electricity. Where grid-based solutions are available these will be preferred to private wires.

This change will require primary legislation, making detailed regulations and assigning new powers and tasks to the CRU, and potentially to other bodies. The end result of this will be a new opportunity for undertakings other than EirGrid and ESB Networks to build, own and operate electricity lines in the following four scenarios.

• Private Lines from a Generator to a Customer
• Hybrid Connections
• On Street EV Charging
• Expansion of Self Supply

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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278. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, to outline the framework to ensure private wires will not undermine the development of the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43318/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Having received Government approval on 4 July 2024, my Department published a set of guiding principles for the development of a policy on private wires. In line with the principles, I secured Government approval for a new policy statement on private wires on 15 July.

As set out in the policy principles, private wires will not be permitted to undermine the efficient development of the National Electricity Grid.

The Irish electricity grid is separated into two parts, the Transmission Network operated by EirGrid as the Transmission System Operator, and the Distribution Network operated by ESB Networks as the Distribution System Operator. Building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission system operators and for which they are accountable to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Plan-led approaches will play a key role in the future electricity system and delivering the required infrastructure. System Operators have respective plans for the development of the National Electricity Grid which will not be undermined by the Private Wires Policy.

In July 2023, EirGrid published Shaping our Electricity Future 1.1, an update to their roadmap for the development of the transmission grid out to 2030 to deliver on the renewable energy targets, to include the integration of offshore wind into the electricity grid. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its networks for Net Zero Strategy which outlines its commitment to futureproofing Ireland’s electricity network and making the country’s goal of net zero by 2050 a reality.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the proposed policy on private wires, to outline the framework which ensures that it does not undermine the financing of the national grid; if there will be a framework to ensure that it does not impact on the transmission system operator and distribution system operator to maintain and expand the national grid. [43320/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Investing in our electricity network, and ensuring it is fit for purpose, is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in five-year cycles called Price Reviews. The current Price Review, PR5, spans the period 2021 to 2025 and will see a capital investment spend of over €8 billion in the electricity network. Work has commenced on Price Review 6 which will see the CRU sanction the investment in the grid to 2030. The CRU are proposing to approve an investment of up to €18.08 billion in our electricity system between 2026-2030, with a €14.1 billion baseline investment guaranteed.

PR6 will assist Ireland in maintaining a reliable and resilient electricity network to meet the needs of customers and society. This investment will deliver additional network capacity at all voltage levels, as well as allowing for significant investment in asset maintenance and replacement, and measures to improve continuity of supply.

In July 2023 EirGrid published Shaping our Electricity Future 1.1, an update to their roadmap for the development of the transmission grid out to 2030 to deliver on the renewable energy targets, to include the integration of offshore wind into the electricity grid. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its networks for Net Zero Strategy which outlines its commitment to futureproofing Ireland’s electricity network and making the country’s goal of net zero by 2050 a reality.

With regard to undermining the financing of the national grid, as outlined in the Private Wires Policy Statement which was approved by Government on 15 July, private wires cannot undermine the financing of the National Electricity Grid. Those entities with a private wire must pay the full cost of the service they have sought from, or that is provided to them, by the National Electricity Grid.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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283. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the plan to introduce a renewable heat obligation, RHO; to provide a timeline for its introduction; to outline the analysis that has been undertaken to understand the effects the RHO may have on final customer gas bills, especially domestic customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43345/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department. Following Government approval of the General Scheme of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025, preparation is now underway to begin drafting of the primary legislation required to administer the scheme.

Given the impact the RHO will have on end consumers, my Department has carried out extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure final decisions taken in relation to the scheme are evidence-based and supportive of a successful introduction.

Energy affordability and the impact on consumers was a key consideration throughout the development process and will continue to be as the scheme progresses to its introduction in 2026.

A number of scheme parameters have been designed to allow flexibility to obligated parties in meeting their obligations, which will in turn reduce the overall burden on the end consumer. Further details in relation to scheme structure is available to view on Gov.ie at: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/RENEWABLE_HEAT_OBLIGATION_BILL_2025.pdf

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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284. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to work on possible grant schemes or changes to the RHSS to facilitate district or communal heating schemes or move them from gas-fed systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43527/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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District heating is a proven technology that can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the heat sector. Government policy recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s climate and energy goals. This is underpinned by the findings of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) 2022 National Heat Study which highlighted significant potential for heat in buildings to be supplied by district heating, particularly in cities and large towns where demand is concentrated and heat sources are prevalent.

The establishment of the District Heating Steering Group was an important step in developing district heating in Ireland. The District Heating Steering Group Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023, contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating.

In terms of investment, the Government has financially supported the development of district heat networks in Ireland through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). The large-scale scheme operational in Tallaght was developed by South Dublin County Council, and supported through €4.48 million funding from the CAF. In addition, with the support of the CAF, Dublin City Council is working to develop a large project that will use waste heat from the Dublin Waste to Energy facility in Poolbeg to heat public sector, commercial and residential buildings in the adjacent area.

My Department is currently preparing seeking to establish future State funding (2026-2030) to support efficient district heating projects. Developing this initial core infrastructure by 2030 would reduce heat-related greenhouse gas emissions in this decade from connected buildings. It would also enable many more citizens, businesses and public bodies to decarbonise their homes and buildings respectively throughout the 2030s and beyond.

I recently allocated €5 million from the CAF to support the pre-construction development costs of efficient district heating projects in Ireland. My Department, with the assistance of the SEAI District Heating Centre of Excellence, are in the process of operationalising this funding which will provide supports for projects through the vital preparatory stages.

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is a funding mechanism for renewable heating that includes funding for district and communal heating systems. The funding is targeted at switching from fossil fuel to a renewable heat technologies. Grant aid is available for heat pump systems, including the heat pump, distribution system and associated energy efficiency measures. Additionally, in the case of biomass and anaerobic digestion biogas solutions, an operational tariff support is available for each unit of heat used for eligible purposes.

As recommended in the District Heating Steering Group Report, my Department is working with the SEAI on reviewing the SSRH to determine its suitability to provide support for large scale, efficient district heating projects. An enhanced SSRH could be an effective funding mechanism to deliver such supports. However, while communal heating systems using heat pumps or biomass/anaerobic digestion technologies are already eligible for supports under the SSRH in its current form, it is necessary that vital components of larger district heating projects, such as pipework and energy centres, be considered for support under the scheme’s terms and conditions. Additionally, given the complexity of large-scale district heating projects, and the increased level of capital investment supports necessary for their development, appropriate project evaluation and reporting processes will need to be established. Both my Department and the SEAI will continue work on assessing and enhancing the scheme to ensure it is ready to provide necessary supports once funding has been secured.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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285. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the working group on district and communal heating schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43528/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The District Heating Working Group was established in 2023 to support the work of the Heat and Built Environment (HBE) Taskforce.

The Working Group is continuing to support the implementation and delivery of the recommendations from the 2023 District Heating Steering Group Report, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/district-heating-steering-group/, including providing support for the drafting and enactment of the Heat Bill.

The Working Group also continues to assist with progressing relevant district heating related actions arising from successive Climate Action Plans, and delivering on relevant actions in the HBE Task Force Implementation Plan.