Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of home energy upgrades completed to date in 2025, in each county; the way in which this compared to the same periods of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49121/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, through grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings, as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

Overall, since 2020, the SEAI schemes provided €1.38 billion support to homeowners for 198,714 home energy upgrades. This year, a record budget allocation of over €550 million for the SEAI will support over 64,500 home energy upgrades and build on the momentum seen in recent years.

The specific data sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of home energy upgrades across the SEAI Residential and Community Retrofit Schemes for January to August 2025, compared with data for the same period between 2020 and 2024, is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

The Deputy might also wish to note that the SEAI has published Full Year and Quarterly Reports on its website which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under SEAI schemes, including “property upgrades by county by year”.

The full year 2024 Report can be found at: SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2024.pdf

and the most recently published Quarter 1 2025 Report at:

www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2025.pdf

A range of measures have been introduced under the National Retrofit Plan across recent years to support continued growth, including simplifying application processes, expanding eligibility, prioritising worst performing homes, expanding deep retrofits, and growing the numbers of One Stop Shops, as well as progressing projects piloting new supports.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider expanding the SEAI warmer homes scheme eligibility to all those over 70 years, regardless of whether they are in receipt of fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49103/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of 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 the 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. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports.

The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty.

The scheme eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the income support schemes offered.

The Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:

• The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
• The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by Local Authorities. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/1ca60-housing-aid-for-older-people-grant/