Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
125. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of approvals and drawdowns for the home energy upgrade scheme loan in Cork city and Cork county to date in 2025, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72248/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is intended to play a crucial role in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills.
The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years with rates from as low as 2.99% (price varying depending on the finance provider). Loan applications are processed, validated and approved by the participating finance providers. Only loans that have been drawn down under the scheme are uploaded by the finance providers to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland's (SBCI) reporting system.
At the end of September 2025, there were 776 loans drawn to a value of €38,258,801. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, regional figures are reported instead. To end September 2025, 111 loans were drawn in the South West region to a value of €5,462,381.
In line with the Programme for Government’s commitment to “Promote the €500 million Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, offering low interest loans for home energy upgrades, from €5,000 to €75,000”, my Department continues to work closely with the SBCI, the SEAI and the participating finance providers to increase awareness of, and demand for, the scheme and drive additional uptake in 2025 and beyond.
The details for home energy upgrades in Cork in 2025 to end November, broken down by the schemes requested, are provided in the following table. Please note that while some of these homeowners may have also drawn down the Home Energy Upgrade Loan, no data is available linking these schemes.
The total number of homes retrofitted under SEAI schemes in 2023 was 47,953 and in 2024 was 53,984. From January to end November 2025, 52,415 upgrades have been completed representing sustained and significant increases each year.
Home Energy Upgrades in Cork – January 2025 to 30 November 2025
|
Scheme |
Number of Property Upgrades |
Amount Funded |
|
National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme |
145 |
€3,087,935 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
1,287 |
€3,090,633 |
|
Solar PV |
3811 |
€7,346,040 |
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
730 |
€14,334,618 |
|
Total – Cork 2025 |
5,973 |
€27,859,226 |
