Erin McGreehan
Ceist:171. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the recent changes to the warmer homes scheme in terms of attic and cavity insulation. [14523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 February 2026
Ceisteanna (171)
Freagraí scríofa
The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
To help maximise delivery and continue to improve waiting times, Budget 2026 provided record funding of €340 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, with a target of 11,500 fully funded home upgrades for 2026.
In January, Government published a National Residential Retrofit Plan, including an enhanced set of measures to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades. The Plan, with its new and enhanced set of measures, will continue to make home energy upgrades more accessible and affordable making it easier for homeowners to undertake deep retrofits on a phased basis as suits their budgets.
While there have been no direct changes to the Warmer Homes Scheme in terms of attic and cavity insulation, a new, higher fixed-amount grant for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation will be introduced under the Better Energy Homes Scheme for homeowners who are on qualifying Department of Social Protection payments. The fixed grant amount is based on 100% of the median 2024 cost of attic and cavity wall insulation works. This will allow qualifying homeowners at risk of energy poverty to get these works done using their own SEAI-registered contractor in a shorter timeframe. Eligible applicants can keep their place on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list while carrying out these works.
This grant is separate to the Warmer Homes Scheme and while applicants who are eligible for the Warmer Homes Scheme are eligible for this grant, it will not in any way affect their place on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list.
Further details on how to apply for this grant will be available at the beginning of March.