Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
291. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will publish a joined-up strategy linking SEAI retrofit supports, grid reinforcement and connection policies to prioritise households in energy poverty and homes with the lowest BER ratings for low-carbon heating upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71212/25]
View answerThere are a range of energy policies and measures focused on supporting households in energy poverty and with low Building Energy Rating (BER) ratings.
• The Climate Action Plan includes targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a BER of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
• The National Retrofit Plan sets out our approach to achieving these targets and includes measures such as:
• Enhanced Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants with expanded eligibility, higher amounts and simplified application processes;
• New finance measures to support affordability, such as the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme;
• Reformed Warmer Homes Scheme with expanded eligibility, increased depth of retrofit, a prioritisation of the worst performing homes and a higher number of homes supported;
• Network of 26 SEAI registered One Stop Shops;
• Enhanced supports for retrofitting apartment buildings; and
• New supports for area-based retrofit projects for mixed-ownership estates to encourage homeowners, regardless of requirements or means, to get a retrofit.
Budget 2026 announced a record Exchequer funding of €558 million for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades. Additionally, the Government enhanced targeted energy affordability measures through our Social Protection System. This budget will see the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance increase and expanded to all households in receipt of the Working Family Payment such that 460,000 families will benefit.
Earlier this year, I established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce to examine cost drivers and to identify and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The work of the taskforce involves the preparation and implementation of an Energy Affordability Action Plan, which will include recommendations for structural reforms to benefit consumers, a full review of cost drivers in the energy sector, and consideration of how the EU Action Plan for Affordable Energy and associated guidance can be implemented in an Irish context.
