Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current status and progress of the heat Bill, which aims to establish a regulatory model for district heating to ensure consumer protection and support the development of a vibrant district heating industry; the anticipated timelines for the introduction and implementation of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41667/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The District Heating Steering Group Report, approved by Government in July 2023, contains a suite of recommendations that set the future policy direction for the development of district heating. The Steering Group noted that primary legislation would be required to ensure that developers of district heating projects have the necessary legal powers to operate in the sector, to facilitate regulatory provisions to enable customer protections, and to put in place licensing and consenting provisions for district heating operators.

My Department is in the process of finalising the General Scheme of the proposed Heat Bill, and is currently adapting the Heads to take account of legal review and observations from other Government departments. The proposed Heads will be brought to Government in October.