Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
310. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the housing aid for older people grant, specifically whether boiler replacements remain eligible under the scheme; and if they are no longer included, the alternative supports that are available to cover such essential upgrades. [33261/25]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority.
The 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 the 1 January 2025 public bodies shall not provide any financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels other than those already approved under EU funds.
As a result, grants under the Housing Aid for Older People Grant scheme can no longer be provided for the installation of new stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels. The grant scheme is available for applications in respect of costs relating to the repair of an existing fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor or the purchase and installation of a second hand fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor.
Grants under the scheme may also be paid in respect of 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. Grants continue to be paid in respect of non fossil fuel heating such electric or biomass heating solutions e.g. wall mounted electric heaters or wood pellet stoves etc., where either are deemed to be a suitable option in line with applicant’s circumstances. The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities, therefore the qualifying works is a matter for consideration and decision on a case-by-case basis by the local authority within the scope of the grant scheme.
Grant funding for insulation works and associated heating systems related to home energy upgrades are appropriate to the schemes available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Further information in relation to these schemes can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/homeenergyupgrades.
