I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 270 and 313 together.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan, containing new and enhanced measures, announced in January 2026 has made retrofitting supports more accessible to households, allowing homeowners undertake works to their homes on a staggered basis by accessing a range of individual measure grants previously only available through a One Stop Shop deep retrofit.
Recognising that costs have risen since 2022, grant levels for cavity wall and attic insulation have been increased. These are highly cost-effective upgrade measures deployed rapidly and at scale as an enduring response to the challenge of higher energy prices. The grants are available across all part-funded schemes but are particularly focused towards applicants to the Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme and homeowners who prefer to install energy efficiency upgrades in a step-wise approach rather than a deep retrofit all at one time.
For the first time, homeowners can access a windows and doors grant as an individual measure where the building fabric will meet, or already meets, a specified minimum performance standard. Many homes will already meet this standard. A post-works BER is required after new windows and doors are installed, and this may be grant aided. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has more information on its website at:
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Upgrading-Windows-and-Doors-Leaflet.pdf.
Eligibility for wall insulation measure grant has also been expanded. Homeowners who have previously received a grant for wall insulation may now apply for a second wall insulation measure, subject to the relevant terms and conditions. This option is designed to help homeowners upgrade from cavity wall or internal wall insulation to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency and make their home heat pump ready.
To help with the affordability of external insulation, fixed grant rates of between €3,000 and €8,000 are available through the SEAI. Internal insulation may present a more affordable option and grants of between €1,500 and €4,500 can be applied for. In addition, homeowners may have the option of paying the cost of their upgrade "net of grant". The SEAI also continues to work to improve transparency in pricing and has on its website guidance on individual energy upgrades costs and grants, including for wall insulation measures at:
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Median-costs-of-individual-energy-upgrades.pdf.
Recognising that traditional buildings require special consideration, homeowners carrying out wall and other insulation works can apply for grant support via the Traditional Homes Pilot scheme:
www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stopshop/traditional-homes.
In addition, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades where 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 than those available in the market.
In Budget 2026, the Government provided a record allocation of €640 million to target 73,000 home energy upgrades, a 12.7% increase in Exchequer funding on 2025 and up on the 58,000 home energy upgrades delivered last year. Latest data from the SEAI shows 29,000 applications in Q1 2026, an almost doubling of applications year-on-year. Particularly noteworthy are the increases under the BEH individual upgrades scheme: over 7,000 applications for window and door upgrades (new grants); over 2,350 applications for cavity wall insulation; and 750 applications for external wall insulation - up 29% and 43% respectively year on year.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
