Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
22. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment the specific measures in place to address the upfront cost barrier for older persons seeking to install solar photovoltaic panels; whether options such as grant prepayment, pay as you save models, or low cost financing are under active consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra23. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment if he has assessed the cohort of older homeowners who do not qualify for fully funded retrofit schemes but are unable to afford the upfront cost of solar panel installation; the estimated size of this cohort; and if targeted supports are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra24. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether an assessment has been carried out on the adequacy of current solar photovoltaic grant levels for older persons on fixed incomes, having regard to installation costs; and if any revisions to grant levels are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra25. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment the number of applications received and approved for solar photovoltaic grants by applicants aged over 65 in each of the past three years, where such data is available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment if any review has been undertaken to identify barriers faced by older persons in accessing solar panel grants, including awareness, administrative requirements and financial constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29056/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 together.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme provides grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations of solar PV, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2026 and are available to houses built and occupied prior to 2021. The SEAI do not track applications classified by age so cannot provide information requested by the Deputy.
The scheme has supported over 102,000 homes since the pilot started in 2018 with over 33,000 homes supported in 2025 alone. This high level of demand indicates that the scheme is working well and that citizens recognise the significant benefits of investing in solar PV.
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for installing solar PV panels for customers/households registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register. These homes have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies such as dialysis machines and respirators.
The scheme is operated by the SEAI in conjunction with energy suppliers and began operating in 2023 on a pilot basis. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system, including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. The experience and information gathered on this scheme will assist my Department in designing and obtaining funding for further similar targeted schemes, which may include older persons.
It is worth noting that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provides funding under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, includes the housing adaptation grant for disabled people, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of Local Authorities. More information on the suite of grants can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
In addition to this, the National Energy Affordability Taskforce was formed to identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households.
The Taskforce is now leading the response to the energy shock, and the immediate associated energy affordability challenge (with an initial focus, reflecting wider recommendations from both the EU and IEA, on demand measures to reduce energy use and make costs more affordable for households and businesses), as well as preparing an Energy Affordability Action Plan. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and the continued development of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland retrofit schemes, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
