Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
137. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the current uptake of the home energy upgrade loan scheme in County Galway; and how his Department intends to expand awareness and access for homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73229/25]
View answerThe Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme 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.
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 interest rates from as low as 2.99% (price varies 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, enhancing accessibility to more affordable retrofit loans in local communities.
At the end of September 2025, there were 776 loans drawn to a value of €38,258,801. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, regional figures are reported instead. To end September 2025, 79 loans were drawn in the west region of Ireland to a value of €3,875,895.
In line with the Programme for Government, in addition to expanding the number of lenders under the scheme, a key focus of my Department across 2025 has been the continued promotion of the scheme to drive uptake. The Department has engaged with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and several lenders to examine and identify opportunities to further promote the scheme. This also includes the progression of a marketing and communications campaign to scale up activity in the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.
