Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
229. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the target of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a B2 standard by 2030; if the Government remains in pursuit of this target of 500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54709/26]
View answer230. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the strategic objective to deliver a 2MtCO2 reduction in the built environment by 2030; if a target 500,000 homes retrofitted to a BER b2 remains as one of the key actions identified to achieve this; if not, the alternative pathways that have been identified and to report on progress to date. [54710/26]
View answer231. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the strategic objective to deliver a 2MtCO2 reduction in the built environment by 2030; if a target of 400,000 heat pumps remains as one of the key actions identified to achieve this; if not, the alternative pathways that have been identified and to report on progress to date. [54711/26]
View answerI propose to take Question No 229, Question No 230 and Question No 231 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a 51% reduction in our overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
For the residential sector the overall strategic objective is to deliver a 2MtCO2 reduction in the built environment by 2030 in support of our binding national and EU commitments.
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) lists actions and measures to be taken in the residential sector to achieve sectoral emissions ceilings for the residential sector for the two carbon budgetary periods (2021-2025 and 2026-2030). These measures include the retrofit of existing homes and replacing existing fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps.
The CAP measures are informed by assumptions of the equivalent of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing premises to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
It should be noted that all upgrades, not just upgrades and deep retrofits to B2 ratings or above, reduce energy usage and contribute towards the required carbon emissions reductions. In addition, upgrades carried out outside of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) schemes, such as those funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government for Local Authority homes and upgrades, also contribute.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports on climate and emissions targets in the residential sector based on energy use. According to EPA data, emissions from the residential sector were within their Sectoral Emissions Ceiling for our first Carbon Budget (2021-2025), but it is acknowledged that we must do more to meet the second Carbon Budget (2026-2030).
The Programme for Government commits to taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, supporting energy affordability, security and sustainability. We are delivering on this and the pace of delivery is ramping up year-on-year.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 introduced a number of new and expanded measures to make energy upgrades more affordable and accessible to many more homeowners. These measures are making more homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households.
Following the introduction of the new measures, applications to the SEAI for individual home energy upgrades to end June 2026 were up over 251% on the first half of 2025, and overall applications for SEAI residential and community upgrade schemes were up over 121%.
Since 2019, and to end June 2026, there has been a record level of more than €1.9 billion invested in the SEAI's schemes to support over 274,000 home energy upgrades, including over 37,500 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded more than 11,000 Local Authority retrofits to BER B2 level or cost optimal equivalent between 2021 and 2025, including the installation of some 9,300 heat pumps. This built on the 6,000 or so Local Authority shallow retrofits supported by the Department between 2019 and 2021.
The allocation of up to €3.7 billion in carbon tax revenues to 2030 via the National Development Plan will support continuing ambitious delivery under the National Residential Retrofit Plan, supporting achievement of the CAP residential sectoral ceilings for the period 2026-2030.
