Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
251. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will initiate a review of the National Retrofit Plan and the related Better Energy Homes; Warmer Homes and the Solar Electricity Grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to ramping up the achievement of retrofit targets through continued delivery of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including 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 supporting group retrofitting projects and area-based approaches to retrofitting.
The commitments in the Programme for Government are framing the work underway by my Department in continued delivery and development of the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes. Increasing the uptake of energy efficiency upgrades and measures among homeowners is a key priority for my Department.
Budget 2026 has provided record funding of €558 million for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes this year. This is an increase of €89 million on the Budget 2025 allocation. This funding is being further supplemented with additional monies, such as an allocation from the European Regional Development Fund, which will provide for an increase in the allocation for the Warmer Home Scheme. These allocations are published as part of the Revised Estimates Volume. The 2026 total budget allocation provides for a record capital budget of over €640 million for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme, and to support over 73,000 home energy upgrades in 2026.
Government is committed to taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability.
Following Government approval at Cabinet this week, I have published a National Residential Retrofit Plan and an enhanced set of measures to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades. The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, including its new and enhanced set of measures, will continue to make home energy upgrades more accessible and affordable: and support more homes to be more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households.
