Written Answers Nos. 197-201
197. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the marine protected areas legislation, which his Department said was at an advanced stage of drafting in July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31552/26]
View answer200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026; when the Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31553/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 200 together.
On 12 November 2025, Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme of a Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill which will amend the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The proposed Bill will provide a legislative basis for the designation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Irish waters. Work on the general scheme is at an advanced stage, and it will be published at the earliest opportunity.
198. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware that the SEAI heat pump grant eligibility criteria require many pre-2007 homeowners to achieve a heat loss indicator (HLI) of 2.3 W/(K.m²) or lower before grant approval, often necessitating significant and costly fabric upgrades; the number of applicants deemed ineligible or refused heat pump grant approval in each of the past five years due to failure to meet the HLI threshold; the estimated average cost burden placed on homeowners to bring pre-2007 dwellings to the required HLI threshold to qualify for a heat pump grant, including costs associated with technical assessments and required upgrades; and if he will review the scheme to ensure it does not unfairly exclude older homes and low-income households. [31542/26]
View answer199. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is satisfied that the SEAI eligibility criteria for window and door replacement grants, including post-works BER requirements and U-value thresholds, are not disproportionately excluding homeowners in older dwellings; the number of applicants refused or deemed ineligible for grant support for windows and doors in each of the past five years; the number refused specifically due to failure to meet the Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) threshold or due to the use of default BER values where no documentation of previous upgrades was available; and if he will consider revising the scheme to ensure it is accessible to older homes and low-income households. [31543/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
My Department funds a number of schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. These include SEAI part-funded schemes as well as free energy upgrades through the fully-funded Warmer Homes Scheme.
Heat pumps are one of the most challenging technologies to implement at scale. Upfront costs and ancillary works can be seen as obstacles. We are addressing these issues under the National Residential Retrofit Plan. Capital expenditure of over €1.7 billion has delivered over 257,500 home energy upgrades from 2019 to end Q1 2026. In addition, close to 28,000 heat pumps were installed in the period 2019 to 2025 under SEAI and Local Authority retrofit schemes.
In Budget 2026, the Government provided a record allocation of €640 million to support the new and enhanced measures I announced in January 2026. These are making retrofitting supports more accessible and affordable. Latest data from the SEAI shows 29,000 applications in Quarter 1 2026, an almost doubling of applications year-on-year, including over 7,000 applications for window and door upgrades (new grants) and an almost 19% year-on-year increase in heat pump installations.
To qualify for the heat pump and/or the windows and doors grants, the building fabric must meet a specified minimum performance standard. Many homes will already meet this standard. The application processes to follow are set out on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants. Information on the BER methodology can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/ber/understand-a-ber-rating
To test the performance of heat pumps in homes with a higher level of heat loss than is currently required by SEAI for grant support, SEAI are running two pilots: the Residential Heat Pump & Heat Loss Indicator Research Pilot and the R290 High Temperature Heat Pump pilot (HTHP). Homeowners interested in participating in these pilots can find more information on the SEAI website:
• www.seai.ie/pilot-projects
• www.seai.ie/contractors-and-suppliers/support-for-one-stop-shop/high-temperature-heat-pump-pilot.
Recognising that traditional buildings require special consideration, homeowners carrying out insulation works can apply for grant support via the Traditional Homes Pilot scheme: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/traditional-homes. The pilot is gathering data on technical issues, materials, and costs of the types of solutions set out in the DHLGH guidance:” Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings: Guidance for Specifiers and Installers.”
The collection of the specific data sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the SEAI. It is suggested the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
My Department and 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.
201. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if additional measures will be introduced to reduce the cost of home heating oil. [31604/26]
View answerGovernment is extremely conscious of the impact that the global spike in oil prices is having on people and businesses across the country.
In terms of home heating oil, the NORA levy of 2 cent per litre has been reduced to a nominal amount from 1 April 2026 until 31 July 2026. On 24 March 2026 it was announced the Fuel Allowance season will be extended by 4 weeks until 1 May 2026 due to the recent increases in fuel costs. Government will also defer the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for 1 May.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) has been established by Government to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. This will be a crucial element of the Government’s work to improve competitiveness, complementing the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity. The NEAT has met twice in recent weeks to discuss the impact of the oil crisis and will meet again next week.
