Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:11. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment how his Department is working to address the rising costs faced by householders on district heating systems. [36392/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 2 July 2025
Ceisteanna (11)
Freagraí scríofa
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, including a recommendation that my Department bring forward proposals for legislation to provide a suitable regulatory and legal environment for the heat sector. The General Scheme of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, which is published on my Department's website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/3dd66-heat-networks-and-miscellaneous-provisions-bill-2024/), was drafted to give effect to the recommendations of the Steering Group and 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 protections for consumers.
The general scheme has been drafted with the intention of appointing the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the regulator for all heat networks, including district and communal heating. The general scheme sets out proposed functions for the regulator, including provisions in respect of consumer protection, competition, tariffs and charges. Officials in my Department are engaging with the CRU in this regard, and will continue to do so as the legislation is further developed and finalised.
The Programme for Government commits to enacting this legislation.