Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
24. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the expansion of district heating in Ireland’s energy transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4643/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra25. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the role envisaged for local authorities in the expansion of district heating; whether pilot projects are in place or planned; if there are any projects planned for Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.
Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating and recognises the contribution it can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by Government in 2023 and a Working Group has been convened to oversee implementation of the Steering Group recommendations.
The first efficient district heating project operational in Ireland is in Tallaght. It was developed by South Dublin County Council and supported through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). Phase 2 of this project is now being planned and evaluated by South Dublin County Council.
Dublin City Council (DCC) have also been progressing the Dublin District Heating Project which 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. DCC have been allocated €50 million through the CAF to support this project.
My Department has ongoing engagement with a number of additional Local Authorities who are working to develop district heating in their areas. My Department is also aware of a potential pipeline of further district heating projects, including private developers working in partnership with relevant Local Authorities and State Agencies.
In July 2025, I announced the allocation of €5 million through the Climate Action Fund to support pre-construction development costs for efficient district heating projects in Ireland. This fund has been launched as a pilot fund to bridge the gap for district heating projects until more significant capital funding is in place. 40 expressions of interest have been received, and these are now being evaluated, with the detailed application stage expected to open in February 2026. The actual details of these expressions of interest are commercially sensitive, but they are geographically dispersed.
Under the National Development Plan, for the period 2026 to 2030, up to €100 million has been allocated to support the full development of district heating networks. This level of funding demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to district heating as a core component of Ireland’s decarbonisation strategy.
In addition, the SEAI are leading on work to feed into the overall long-term strategy for district heating. This includes development of a national level assessment and a comprehensive advisory project, being conducted in partnership with the European Investment Bank's InvestEU Advisory Hub.
In tandem, my Department are working on the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to introduce a regulatory framework for district heating.
