Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are any changes to the better energy warmer homes scheme carried out by SEAI following the signing of the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 749/2024) in December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11129/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if fossil fuel boilers can still be installed through the better energy warmer homes schemes based on the recommendation of an assigned contractor following the signing of the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 749/2024) in December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11130/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in 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.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, representing an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the scheme. The upgrades recommended for a particular property depend on many factors, including age, size, type and the condition of the property. For each eligible home, the SEAI’s technical surveyor determines which upgrades can be installed and funded.

Until 31 December 2024, a new gas or oil heating system could be recommended for installation and funded under the Warmer Homes Scheme. This was done in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements where a major renovation is taking place under the scheme, and to ensure homeowners were not left without heating in their homes.

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 then, the SEAI cannot recommend the installation of new stand-alone oil or gas boilers as an upgrade measure when surveying homes under this scheme.

Instead, where a heating system upgrade is required as part of a major renovation, the SEAI will assess the suitability of the home for a heat pump, or other renewable heating technologies, which are compliant with the EPBD. Therefore, where a homeowner does not wish to have their heating system replaced with an EPBD-compliant system as part of a major renovation, the SEAI cannot carry out the other insulation works.

Homes which were surveyed and recommended for boiler upgrades prior to 1 January this year are not affected by this change and planned works already communicated to homeowners, including boiler upgrades, will continue. Homes that had applied prior to 1 January, but which were not surveyed prior to 1 January, are affected by this change and the approach outlined above will apply.

My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.

Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.