Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Whitmore. The warmer homes scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, on behalf of the Department, is really important in efforts to tackle energy poverty and improve the energy efficiency of homes for those most in need. It is fully funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million, resulting in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. This year, we have increased the budget to €280 million, allowing for deeper and more complex retrofits. The average cost of upgrades has risen from €2,600 in 2015 to over €29,000 in 2025, reflecting the scale and ambition of the programme. The scheme follows a fabric-first approach, prioritising installation and ventilation to reduce heat loss before replacing heating systems in line with building regulations and best practice. At present, solar PV is not offered as a standard upgrade under the scheme. However, the SEAI is piloting the installation of renewable technologies, including heat pumps and, in a small number of cases, solar PV where major renovations are taking place.

These pilots are helping us assess the suitability of such technologies in the context of energy poverty and long-term value for money. The scope of upgrades under the scheme is kept under ongoing review and my Department continues to work closely with the SEAI to ensure we maximise the impact of every euro spent.

The homes built before 2011 are eligible for part-funded solar PV grants under separate SEAI programmes. We remain committed to ensuring that low-income households benefit from Ireland's renewable energy transition and will continue to explore how best to integrate solar and other technologies into our energy poverty programmes.

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