asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if a detailed study of the possibilities of solar energy for household heating requirements has been made; if he will give details of the use to date in Ireland of such systems and its possibilities for the future.

The Institute for Industrial Research and Standards have carried out a technical and economic study of the potential use of solar energy for the provision of space heating and hot water for dwellings. The Electricity Supply Board are at present carrying out a study of the practical problems involved and the optimum methods of control in the use of solar energy. Substantial funds have been made available by the European Communities for research into this source of energy.

The extent to which solar energy systems are used in Ireland is relatively limited. I understand that its use for space heating and for the provision of hot water for dwellings is deemed to be feasible. However, much work remains to be done before this source of energy can be exploited to a significant extent on an economical and practical basis.

Could the Minister give any indication of the additional cost of equipping a new house to use energy from solar sources?

I have not got that information but I would hazard a guess that it would cost well over £1,000.

Has the Minister under consideration the matter of a special grant for people who may be prepared to expend that kind of money, bearing in mind President Carter's proposal to make available a tax credit of $2,000 to any householder in the United States who installs this type of equipment?

The next question deals with that.

The Minister referred in the initial part of his reply to the substantial amount of work which needs to be done before a judgment can be made on the use of solar energy. Is he in a position to give an undertaking that the necessary work and research will be completed before he and the Government make a decision on the question of nuclear energy and Carnsore Point?

I do not think there is any real connection between the two.

Does the Minister accept that in the formulation of a plan for the future energy needs of this country it would be most useful to have some understanding of the contribution which could be made by solar energy? This might affect the Government's decision, unless their minds are already made up on this point.

It should be made clear that even if the experimental work going on in regard to solar energy is successful this country is not well located to take advantage of it. The most likely beneficial use in this country is through biomass. Even if these experiments prove very successful during the next ten years, it is very unlikely at the end of that period that a source of energy such as this could contribute more than .5 of 1 per cent or, if we were lucky, 1 per cent of our energy needs.

Is the Minister aware of the percentage it is hoped to achieve in the United States from solar sources?

The United States is a very different country and the Deputy should remember that fact.

Is the Minister aware that the percentage aimed at is 20 per cent?

Yes. Undoubtedly we would aim at a similar percentage if we had a country like the United States.

The Minister must know that there are individuals throughout the State who have on their own initiative set up solar apparatus. I visited one such house in Donegal on Christmas Day when there was snow on the ground and the system was providing boiling water. Would the Minister give sympathetic consideration to the matter of grants to these people?

This is dealt with in the next question.

19.