Written Answers Nos. 94-113
94. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding provided for community energy grants in 2020 to 2025, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73011/25]
View answerThe Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered, including upgrades to energy-poor, private, rental and approved housing body homes. Non-domestic projects are also supported to encourage broader community engagement and mobilisation.
I refer to the reply to the recent Parliamentary Question 42 of 15 October 2025: /www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-10-15/42/#pq_42,
and Parliamentary Question 76 of 28 May 2025: www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-28/76/#pq_76
The position remains unchanged.
101. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, tabular form; the number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion this that is over the 2030 target; and the proportion of these that were retrofitted under the warmer homes scheme. [73025/25]
View answer102. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes retrofitted with a heat pump as of his Government’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, broken down by scheme, in tabular form; the number of homes retrofitted as part of his Department’s retrofitting programme to a BER standard of B2 or higher to date in 2025; the proportion and the total number of those retrofitted to a standard of B2 or higher is of the overall 2030 target ; and the proportion of these that were retrofitted under the warmer homes scheme. [73026/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
The Climate Action Plan sets out policies, measures and actions to be taken to achieve sectoral emissions ceilings for the residential sector. These measures include the retrofit of existing homes and installation of heat pumps to support the achievement of the required emissions reductions.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.
The most recent SEAI data show that emissions from the residential sector are likely to remain within their sectoral ceiling in the first carbon budget period (to end 2025).
My Department continues to build on the progress achieved in recent years. Since 2019, there has been a record level of over €1.6 billion invested in SEAI schemes to support almost 240,000 home energy upgrades, including over 81,000 BER B2s, 18,000 heat pump installations and over 32,000 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded a further 14,300 Local Authority upgrades, including over 7,250 heat pumps between 2019 to 2024.
The Programme for Government 2025 commits to ramping up the delivery of retrofitting towards the achievement of 2030 targets set out under the Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan. This includes revising and improving the provision of grants and financing models for homeowners who wish to retrofit, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing costs; as well as the supporting of group retrofitting projects and area-based approaches to retrofitting.
The most recently published data for SEAI residential and community energy retrofit programmes by year, scheme, county, measure type and more can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/home-upgrades
103. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the efforts to date to “support group retrofitting projects” as outlined in the Programme For Government; the number of homes that have been retrofitted as part of “group retrofitting projects” to date in 2025; the motivation for this policy measure; and the learnings have been derived thus far. [73027/25]
View answer104. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress to date on the commitment in the Programme For Government to “Build on the pilot schemes and develop a mechanism to allow private homes in social housing estates to opt into retrofitting projects at an adjusted cost, creating a fair opportunity for all residents”; to report on said pilot schemes including when they began, the number of homes that have been retrofitted as part of these pilots, and the learnings that have been derived thus far; and will a report be published. [73028/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners, businesses and communities improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation) as well as solar PV and heat pump installations.
The Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme supports cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types, including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits, encompassing energy-poor, private, rental, and approved housing body homes.
In 2024, the CEG Scheme commenced an initiative to examine area-based retrofits, aimed at upgrading homes in an integrated way in a specific geographical area. The area-based pilot continues to be progressed by the SEAI by gathering data on technical aspects, materials, products, and installation costs. By early November 2025, the number of homes contracted had increased to 95 across 3 projects.
I would also refer the Deputy to my previous replies to Parliamentary Questions no. 10 and 11 of 16 July 2025: www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-07-16/10/#pq_10
The SEAI also has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of households that have accessed the home energy upgrade loan scheme; the average award of the loan to date; the number of homes that have been retrofitted using the home energy upgrade loan scheme and the pre and post BER, in each of the years since it was first introduced. [73029/25]
View answer106. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of households that have accessed the home energy upgrade loan scheme broken down by local authority; the average award of the loan to date; the number of homes that have been retrofitted using the home energy upgrade loan scheme and the pre and post BER, in each of the years since it was first introduced. [73030/25]
View answer107. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of households that have accessed the home energy upgrade loan scheme broken down by county; the average award of the loan to date; the number of homes that have been retrofitted using the home energy upgrade loan scheme and the pre and post BER, in each of the years since it was first introduced. [73031/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS), which launched in April 2024, is intended to play a crucial role in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. It was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the European Investment Bank Group.
The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with price varying depending on the finance provider. PTSB was the first lender to join in April 2024, with AIB and Bank of Ireland joining in June 2024. In 2025 the group of participating lenders has been expanded to include Avant Money (in partnership with An Post) and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions.
As per the latest data provided by the SBCI, 268 loans were drawn in 2024 to a total value of €13,099,820, and an average loan size of €48,880. By the end of September 2025, a total of 776 loans have been drawn down to a value of €38,258,801 since the scheme launched, with an average loan size of €49,303.
The SBCI provide a regional breakdown of loan uptake on a quarterly basis. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, these figures have not been disclosed. Instead, cumulative uptake figures by region are provided in the first table.
Under the scheme, once approved, loans can be drawn before works begin. Once the energy upgrades have commenced, they often take a year or more to complete, depending on how comprehensive the project is. The post-BER can only be determined once a project is complete. By 30 September 2025, 206 home energy upgrades were completed and the average BER uplifts are provided in the second table.
In line with the Programme for Government’s commitment to “Promote the €500 million Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, offering low interest loans for home energy upgrades, from €5,000 to €75,000”, my Department continues to work closely with the SBCI, the SEAI and the participating finance providers to increase awareness of and demand for the scheme and drive additional uptake in 2025 and beyond.
The Deputy may wish to note that further information and quarterly reports related to the HEULS are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/home-energy-upgrade-loan-scheme/
Table 1: Cumulative drawdown figures by region
|
Region |
Drawdowns to end 2024 |
Drawdowns to end Q3 2025 |
|
Border |
21 |
115 |
|
Dublin |
76 |
225 |
|
Mid-East |
34 |
94 |
|
Midlands |
12 |
26 |
|
Mid-West |
27 |
75 |
|
South-East |
19 |
51 |
|
South-West |
49 |
111 |
|
West |
40 |
79 |
|
Total |
268 |
776 |
Table 2: Completions by BER uplift
|
Initial BER |
Upgraded to A1 |
Upgraded to A2 |
Upgraded to A3 |
Upgraded to B1 |
Upgraded to B2 |
Grand Total by end Q3 2025 |
|
B3 |
19 |
6 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
C1 |
17 |
9 |
5 |
|
|
31 |
|
C2 |
11 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
|
22 |
|
C3 |
15 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
24 |
|
D1 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
24 |
|
D2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
18 |
|
E1 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
18 |
|
E2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
|
F |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
8 |
|
G |
5 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
|
23 |
|
Grand Total |
90 |
50 |
42 |
13 |
11 |
206 |
108. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on progress on the commitment in the Programme For Government to “Consider the use of sustainable biofuels to reduce emissions from existing home boilers where deep retrofits are not possible in the short term”; and the conclusions have been drawn. [73032/25]
View answerHydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a bioliquid which can be used as a renewable energy source and which, in a transport context, is classified as a biofuel. HVO is currently available for consumers to purchase for use in both transport and heating. The Climate Action Plan includes a range of measures to address the use of fossil fuels in heating systems in buildings, with the National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, containing the detailed analysis that is informing the development of options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in the period to 2050.
The heat study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwellings and business premises. These included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogases, as well as heat pumps and district heating networks. The recommendation of the heat study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems, with district heating also being an option that can be widely deployed. However, the heat study also recognised the potential role for sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation, and that is being considered as part of a suite of measures to decarbonise heat.
The Programme for Government 2025 commits to targeting older homes still using oil to switch to renewable heating systems and to consider the use of sustainable biofuels to reduce emissions from existing home boilers where deep retrofits are not possible in the short term. These commitments are framing the work underway to finalise a Heat Policy Statement and prepare a Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating Systems, which will jointly set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector.
My Department is also working on the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) for the heat sector. Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels, including bioliquids used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive, will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme. The RHO Heads of Bill were approved by Government and drafting of the RHO legislation is currently underway.
110. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the key measures taken to enhance environmental protection during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73128/25]
View answerProtecting our environment remains a key priority for the Government. My Department is responsible for setting the policy and legislative framework within which the key environmental regulators, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authorities, discharge their functions.
The EPA noted in the 2025 Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary Report (www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/licensees/performance/FINAL-2024-EPA-Industrial-Waste-Licence-Enforcement-Summary-Report.pdf) that 1,309 inspections of industrial and waste facilities were carried out in the previous year and that 96% of such inspections which were unannounced.
The Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 was published in August 2025 and has completed Dáil Éireann, Third Stage. The proposals in the Bill aim to facilitate:
• the timely development of critical infrastructure in the energy sector, which will facilitate the transition to renewables;
• the deployment of better emissions abatement and other progressive environmental protection technologies which require amendments to licences; and
• securing of investment in infrastructure (including circular economy infrastructure) which will in turn stimulate significant sustainable economic activity within a well-regulated environmental licensing regime.
The EPA also noted in the Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance Report 2024 (www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/public-authorities/Local-Authority-Environmental-Enforcement-Performance-Report-2024.pdf) that local authorities improved their environmental enforcement performance by 20% over the past three years, with 79% of the National Enforcement Priority (NEP) assessments meeting the required standard in 2024.
A key priority for 2026 is the progression of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 and the development of the supporting secondary legislation as well as the transposition of the revised Industrial Emissions Directive.
In relation to air quality, the 2025 progress report on the implementation of Ireland’s Clean Air Strategy noted that Ireland is compliant with all current EU ambient air quality standards and that Ireland came back into compliance with the National Emissions Reduction Commitment Directive (NECD) during 2023. The Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill was published in July 2025 and has completed Seanad Éireann, Second Stage. This Bill aims to further support enforcement action by the local authorities to protect our air quality and improve the registration and compliance systems in relation to the commercial sale and supply of solid fuels. As Minister, my priorities for 2026 include: progressing the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the development of the supporting secondary legislation; transposing the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive; and accelerating pollutant emissions reductions through the further implementation of the Clean Air Strategy.
In relation to the circular economy, the Deposit and Return Scheme has collected over 2 billion containers since its introduction in February 2024, achieving an average return rate of 76%. Circular economy priorities for 2026 include:
• Transposition and implementation of EU circular economy legislation applying to textiles, packaging, batteries, plastic pellets and end of life vehicles.
• Supporting further progress in establishing Ireland’s Deposit and Return Scheme.
• Supporting the installation of a further 84 public drinking water fountains.
• Ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of producer responsibility obligations under EU and national law for the following material streams: packaging, batteries, waste electronic and electrical equipment, tyres, end-of-life vehicles, farm plastics, items containing plastics such as tobacco products and fishing gear.
111. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the key measures taken on climate action during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73129/25]
View answerThis Government is committed to delivering measures and actions to achieve Ireland’s national and EU targets and ultimately climate neutrality by 2050. The Environmental Protection Agency's recent reporting confirms that Ireland’s overall GHG emissions reduced for a third consecutive year, and are now at their lowest level in 35 years.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP), and previous CAPs, there is an extensive programme of policies and measures that aim to achieve significant progress towards emission reductions with notable progress as follows:
• Ireland currently has 7.7 GW of renewable generation capacity. New records were broken in 2025 as Ireland reached 7 GW of renewable generation, 5 GW of wind generation, and 2 GW of solar PV generation for the first time. Renewables provided 41.1% of our electricity demand in 2024.
• On solar, 155,000 homes received grants to install rooftop solar, and free solar panels have been provided to 2,000 schools across Ireland to date.
• To end November this year, over 52,416 upgrades have been completed across SEAI’s residential and community energy upgrade schemes representing sustained and significant increases on the same period in each year since 2020.
• Private wires legislation is advancing to facilitate private sector investment in the grid and in renewable energy.
In 2026, progress will continue supported by:
• The Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT), led by me as Minister and including 16 Government Departments and State Agencies, will work together to deliver our offshore ambitions.
• Extensive grid investment overseen by the CRU, projected at almost €19 billion for the 2026-2030 period, will support the renewables led energy transformation.
• Budget 2026 includes a record capital allocation of €558 million from carbon tax revenue for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes. This is an €89 million increase on the corresponding Budget 2025 allocation. This funding is expected to be further supplemented with additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
• The governance arrangements for the Climate Action Plan Programme Board will continue to be strengthened.
112. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the key measures taken on enhance energy security and production capacity during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73130/25]
View answerThe key measures which have been taken to enhance energy security and production capacity during 2025 as well as actions for each year up to 2030 are outlined in the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report which was published in November 2023.
This report outlines a strategy to ensure energy security in Ireland for this decade, while also ensuring a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050.
The report was published as part of an Energy Security Package, containing a range of supplementary analyses, consultations, and reviews, which have informed the recommendations and actions related to energy security.
The 28 actions outlined in Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 are overseen by the Energy Security Group (ESG), which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and attended by officials from relevant Government Departments and Agencies. My priority for 2026 is to see all outstanding actions progressed and timelines adhered to.
The table at the link below provides an update of the actions to end Q3 2025.
113. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the key measures taken to control energy costs during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73131/25]
View answerThe National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established in June 2025 to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the taskforce was published last month. This report analysed recent trends in energy costs and related matters, including arrears, and set out a range of options for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process.
The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses, and Budget 2026 included the introduction of a number of measures to address energy affordability including:
• a €5 per week increase in the Fuel Allowance bringing the payment to €38 per week. This equates to an increase of more than 15% and will provide an additional €140 to over 450,000 recipients during the annual fuel allowance season;
• this payment has also been expanded to include those in receipt of the Working Family Payment;
• Budget 2026 provided record funding of €558 million for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland residential and community energy upgrade schemes, an increase of €89 million on the Budget 2025 allocation to support delivery of the National Retrofit Plan. Research suggests retrofit measures can save a household up to €1,100 per year in terms of energy; and
• the reduced 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas has been extended until 31 December 2030, to help contain household energy costs.
It is important to note that the Department of Social Protection can also provide support through the Additional Needs Payment to help households meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills. There are also a range of Commission of Regulation of Utilities customer protections are in place, including disconnection moratoria.
The Affordability Taskforce is now preparing for an engagement and consultation process to inform the development of an action plan to be published mid-next year. The taskforce will also continue to bring an all-of-Government approach to researching and assessing options to enhance energy affordability for households and business.
