Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
93. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps taken to prevent an inflationary effect on the cost of home energy upgrades arising out of grant increases and to ensure that the benefit of the grants continues to be felt by consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33207/26]
View answerGovernment has in place a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake energy upgrades for warmer, healthier homes with lower energy bills. This includes the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) part-funded schemes as well as fully funded energy upgrades for people at risk of energy poverty through the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Working in conjunction with SEAI grants, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is enabling homeowners to avail of retrofit loans with interest rates as low as 2.99%.
Capital expenditure of over €1.7 billion has delivered over 257,500 home energy upgrades from 2019 to end Q1 2026. The almost doubling of applications so far in 2026 (year-on-year) means that the SEAI processed 29,000 applications from January to March.
Grant amounts include:
• up to €4,000 for windows, and up to €1,600 for doors;
• up to €2,500 for attic insulation;
• up to €8,000 for wall insulation, including internal, external and cavity; and
• up to €12,500 for heat pump systems, and up to €700 for heating controls.
Recognising that barriers such as high upfront costs still exist and that costs have risen since 2022 when grants were last increased, the new measures and increased grants announced in January are aimed at making it easier for homeowners to undertake highly cost-effective, high impact, attic and cavity wall insulation measures as well as deeper retrofits on a phased basis to suit budgets. A specific higher grant for attic insulation was also introduced for first time buyers of existing homes.
The grant rates will be kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology, value for money and other relevant factors.
