Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
66. 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. [32035/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra67. 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; if targeted supports are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32036/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. 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; if any revisions to grant levels are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. 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. [32039/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67, 68 and 69 together.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) 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. These grants are available to houses built and occupied prior to 2021. The SEAI does not track applications classified by age of the applicant and so cannot provide the information requested by the Deputy.
The scheme has supported over 112,000 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 SEAI is currently working with Age Friendly Ireland to support older people to access energy upgrades, including solar PV through the Healthy Age Friendly Homes (HAFH) Pilot Programme and the Community Energy Grant (CEG) Programme. This initiative is designed to address barriers such as awareness, administrative complexity and upfront costs by providing tailored energy advice, hands on coordination support and access to the full range of retrofit measures, not limited to solar PV alone.
The HAFH Programme is being deployed nationwide and provides energy advice and upgrades by working closely with Local Authority Age Friendly Ireland coordinators and CEG Programme project coordinators to identify and support older homeowners, including those who face affordability constraints. Through this work, the SEAI continues to assess barriers to uptake, the adequacy of existing grant levels, and the needs of homeowners, with learnings from this work informing the ongoing development of targeted supports, delivery models and financing options to improve access to energy upgrades such as solar PV for older people across Ireland.
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 the Department in designing and obtaining funding for further similar targeted schemes, which may include older persons.
It is worth noting 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 here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
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 continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
