94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to work on possible grant schemes or changes to the RHSS to facilitate district-communal heating schemes or move them from gas fed systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59682/26]

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is designed to financially support the installation and/or operation of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district/communal heating (heat source only) and other non-domestic heat users. This includes aid for district/communal heating schemes switching from gas fed systems.

The scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, provides operating aid to bridge the gap between the operating costs of eligible renewable heating systems, such as biomass boilers, and the conventional fossil fuel alternatives. The scheme's operational supports are provided through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs.

The SSRH also provides investment-aid (in the form of grants) for alternative technologies, offering the necessary incentive for capital investment, providing up to 40% of eligible costs (capped at €1m per project) for heat pump systems, including the heat pump, distribution system and associated energy efficiency measures. Additionally, geothermal heating systems, including costs for drilling and construction of energy centres, have also recently been made eligible for grant support under the Scheme.