Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
280. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the supports or grants that are available to a single mother working part time who owns a BER G rated property with a gas boiler to replace this boiler; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9283/26]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their dwellings. This includes SEAI part-funded schemes which offer grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades, as well as fully-funded energy upgrades for people at risk of energy poverty through the fully-funded Warmer Homes Scheme. The grants are available to all homeowners for a range of house types, including those reliant on fossil fuel boilers for heating, who meet programme criteria.
In line with the Programme for Government commitments and following Government approval at Cabinet last month, I published a National Residential Retrofit Plan with an enhanced set of measures to increase delivery of home energy upgrades.
Grant supports under the part-funded schemes are available for installing heat pumps in place of fossil fuel heating systems. As part of the new measures, the Heat Pump System grant has been expanded for a possible total grant value of up to €12,500 (depending on the dwelling type). This includes a €4,000 Renewable Heat Bonus grant for homeowners swapping out their existing oil/gas boiler, solid fuel heating system or electric storage heating system with a Heat Pump. More information can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/heat-pump-systems.
Under the fully-funded Warmer Homes Scheme the worst performing homes (BERs of E, F and G) are prioritised for upgrade works. For each eligible home, where a heating system upgrade is required under the Building Regulations where a major renovation is taking place, the SEAI will assess the suitability of the home for a heat pump, and other renewable heating technologies, which are compliant with the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Under the EPBD, Member States cannot provide financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels. An unprecedented budget of €340 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 11,500 home upgrades.
Working in conjunction with the SEAI grants to support affordability, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, with new lenders joining in 2025, is enabling homeowners to avail of retrofit loans with interest rates as low as 2.99%.
The Government also has other schemes and supports in place delivered through Local Authorities which may be of assistance. More information on these can be found on the Citizens Information website at: www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing-grants-and-schemes/local-authority-housing-grants-and-supports/.
