Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment of those in fuel poverty, how many people got boiler and/or full heating upgrades out of the total number who applied under the warmer homes scheme. [46481/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in, or at risk of, energy poverty through the provision of free energy upgrades. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the Government. The scheme is funded through carbon tax receipts via the Exchequer and by the European Regional Development Fund. Budget 2025 allocated a record €280 million for the scheme this year.

Until 31 December 2024, in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements where a major renovation is taking place under the scheme, a new gas or oil heating system could be recommended for installation and funded.

However, under the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Member States cannot provide financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels from 1 January 2025. Therefore, since January 1 2025, the SEAI does not recommend the installation of new stand-alone oil or gas boilers as an upgrade measure when surveying homes under this scheme.

Since 1 January, where a heating system upgrade is required under the Building Regulations for major renovations taking place under the scheme, the SEAI will instead assess the suitability of the home for a heat pump, and other renewable heating technologies, which are compliant with the EPBD. Homes surveyed and recommended for a boiler upgrade prior to 1 January are not affected by this change and planned works already communicated to homeowners, including boiler upgrades, will continue.

Based on provisional property upgrade data for 2024, 7,743 homes were upgraded under the scheme at an average cost of €27,411. Of this number 2,038 homes received a heating system upgrade as part of a major renovation. In some cases, no heating system existed prior to these upgrades. 49 homes had heat pumps installed and the remainder (1,989) had high-efficiency boilers installed to replace older, inefficient or broken systems.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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72. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of inequality within the warmer homes scheme; if he agrees that the people who qualify for the ‘free’ scheme are treated differently/less favourably to people who qualify for the one-stop shop funding (details supplied); and the reason there are more options and more funding available for those with more disposable income. [46482/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households in, or at risk of, energy poverty is a top priority for the Government. In 2024, over 7,700 fully funded upgrades were provided at an average cost of almost €27,500.

Under the scheme, the upgrades recommended for a given property depend on many factors, including age, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, an SEAI technical surveyor determines which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:

• attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting; and
• in certain circumstances, renewable heating systems, window replacements.