Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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218. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the Government’s National Heat Policy Statement; when he expects that it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51734/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (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 to 2050. A draft Heat Policy Statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared and has undergone extensive consultation with Government Departments and Agencies. The Heat Policy Statement will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector. The draft statement encompasses the national heat-related policies currently in place relevant to households, businesses, energy suppliers, planning authorities, and developers.

It is a legal requirement to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to determine whether the draft Heat Policy Statement is likely to have significant environmental effects. An SEA screening and a screening for an Appropriate Assessment (AA) for the draft Heat Policy Statement has been completed. The SEA and AA screening reports resulted in a full SEA being required, but an AA not being required.

A public consultation on the SEA Environmental Report, the AA Screening report, and the draft Heat Policy Statement is required to take place before the SEA process can be finalised. The consultation is planned for Q4 2025. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Heat Policy Statement will be submitted to Government for approval and publication.