Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
176. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when a grant will be available to support homeowners (details supplied) to bring their home to a BER B2 rating, as per the intention of the SEAI, which requires replacing single-glazing windows and wooden doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35885/26]
View answerMy 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.
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 2026, a budget allocation of €640 million has been provided for the SEAI's residential and community schemes, targeting over 73,000 home energy upgrades. This is up on the 58,000 home energy upgrades delivered in 2025.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan and new and enhanced measures announced in January 2026 have made retrofitting supports more accessible to households and allowed homeowners to undertake in one go a whole house retrofit to a BER B2 level or higher, or on a staggered basis over time, including allowing homeowners for the first time as of 2 March this year to access windows and doors grants as part of individual measures.
The latest data from the SEAI shows the new measures have generated greater interest among homeowners with 29,000 applications in Q1 2026, an almost doubling of applications year-on-year, including over 7,000 applications for windows and doors upgrades (new grants).
To qualify for the windows and doors grants, the building fabric must meet a specified minimum performance standard. Many homes will already meet this standard. Failing this, SEAI insulation grants are available to bring homes up to that standard. The application processes to follow are set out on the SEAI's website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants.
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.
