Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
271. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures funded by carbon tax revenue to ensure low-income households can access retrofitting supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64563/25]
View answerBudget 2026 includes a record capital allocation of €558 million from carbon tax revenue for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) residential and community energy upgrade schemes, such as the Warmer Homes Scheme. This is an €89 million increase on the corresponding Budget 2025 allocation (€469 million). This funding is expected to be further supplemented with additional monies from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the SEAI on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the ERDF.
Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.
For low-income households who do not qualify for the Warmer Homes Scheme, a range of supports are available through SEAI including:
• a special enhanced grant rate for attic and cavity wall insulation is also available to all households;
• schemes supporting a step-by-step approach that allows homeowners to retrofit their home in stages over a number of years;
• a new Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, which will help reduce the financial challenges for many homeowners and will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency; and
• enhanced grant rates for several measures are available to Approved Housing Bodies.
The Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need such as the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme which is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by Local Authorities.
My Department, together with the SEAI, continually keep grant schemes under review (this includes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates), taking account of relevant factors such as demand, research, innovation and evolving technology.
