Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
723. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the progress of Ireland’s transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive as the transposition date of 29 May 2026 approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39935/26]
View answerA recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275)(EPBD) was adopted by the European Parliament and Council and came into force in May 2024. The new measures aim to increase the rate of renovation, particularly for the worst-performing buildings in each Member State. It will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy poverty in the EU.
The recast EPBD relates to policy across several Departments. Extensive engagement with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Transport and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has taken place to date. Work is ongoing and has focused on an assessment of the impacts of the requirements of the Directive, including those related to minimum energy performance requirements, BER Ratings and the progressive renovation of the residential building stock.
Regulations to bring into effect several Articles of the Directive have been introduced. These include regulations relating to the rescaling of building energy ratings (BER’s) for residential and non-residential buildings including the introduction of zero emissions buildings (A0) class for new buildings; zero emission building renovation thresholds for existing buildings; phase out of financial subsidies for fossil fuel boilers and regulations pertaining to Building Automation and Control systems (BACS).
Legal transposition of certain articles has been implemented under the following Statutory Instruments:
S.I. No. 749/2024 transposed Article 17(15) which ends subsidies for fossil fuel boilers.
S.I. No. 642/2024 transposed Article 13(9a) and 13(10) implementing Building Automation Control Systems.
S.I. No. 168/2026 & S.I. No 195/2026 transposed Article 19(2) rescaling the Building Energy Rating.
S.I. No. 168/2026 transposes Article 11 relating to the definition of Zero Emissions Buildings.
Work is continuing on transposition of the remaining Articles.
