Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
162. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the financial supports available to older persons in County Louth to replace oil and gas boilers following the signing of the EU regulations 2024 ( S.I. No. 749/2024); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/25]
View answerThe European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 749/2024) transpose Article 17(15) of Directive 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast) into Irish law. The Regulations provide that from 1 January 2025 public bodies shall not provide any financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels.
However, funding by public bodies remains permissible in respect of costs relating to the repair of an existing fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor (oil or gas) or the purchase and installation of a second-hand fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor (oil or gas). Grants may also continue to be paid in respect to the repair or replacement of all other parts of a central heating system such as new radiators, oil tanks or pipework, regardless of connection to an existing fossil fuel boiler (oil or gas). Grants are also still permissible in respect of non-fossil fuel heating such electric or biomass heating solutions.
Furthermore, for the homes of people in energy poverty, the Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve their energy efficiency and warmth by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. In line with S.I. No. 749/2024, the SEAI cannot recommend the installation of new stand-alone oil or gas boilers as an upgrade measure when surveying homes under this scheme. Instead, where a heating system upgrade is required as part of a major renovation under this scheme, the SEAI will assess the suitability of the home for a heat pump, or other renewable heating technologies, which are compliant with the EPBD. Therefore, non-fossil fuel heating systems will continue to be installed under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
