Minister O'Brien announces increased grant rates for Approved Housing Bodies and households at risk of energy poverty
- Published on: 20 May 2026
- Last updated on: 20 May 2026
Earlier this year, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien announced a range of new and expanded measures under the New Residential Retrofitting Plan.
These new measures included:
- new windows and doors grants
- increased fixed grant levels for attic and cavity wall insultation with values set at up to 80% of median cost; and at up to 100% of median cost for those on qualifying welfare payments and for First Time Buyers (subject to scheme conditions)
- a greater focus on supports for undertaking retrofit measures on an incremental basis.
- increased heat pump grants to €12,500
- improved grants to support Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies
- new pilots focused on improving options for heat pump technology, including support for High Temperature Heat Pumps
- providing support for older people accessing home energy retrofits under the Healthy Age Friendly Homes initiative
Minister O'Brien is delighted to announce that the Terms and Conditions in relation to the increased Approved Housing Bodies grant rates have now been finalised. These are now available to view on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) website: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/CEG-Application-Guidelines.pdf.
Minister O'Brien commented:
"I am delighted to announce the new grant rates for Approved Housing Bodies and households at risk of energy poverty participating in Community upgrade projects. In the Programme for Government we committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes – as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability.
"In the first quarter of the year, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data shows a very positive upward trend with clear evidence of growth in both demand and output. The retrofit sector is mobilising and responding to the growing interest in energy upgrades underpinned by SEAI grant support. Applications to SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on Q1 2025, and overall applications are up 96%.
"The National Energy Affordability Taskforce, will identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. 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."
CEO of the SEAI William Walsh said:
"These increased grants to Approved Housing Bodies and private, energy poor homes taking part in our community grant scheme, will make a big difference to those that need it most, giving them more control and security over their energy costs. This is how we reduce bills in the long-term — by breaking the link between the costs of running a household and volatile international fossil fuel markets. At SEAI we are here to help, no matter what stage a person is at. I really welcome the Minister's announcement today, which further adds to what is already available to help our most vulnerable."
The new grant rates being made available today will support Approved Housing Bodies to upgrade some of their worst performing homes and switch to heat pumps. It will also support the upgrade of more multi-unit developments in Approved Housing Body ownership.
New National Residential Retrofit Plan
The new National Residential Retrofit Plan (2026) was launched in January. It phased in a range new, more affordable measures.
Applications to SEAI so far in 2026 (year-on-year) have doubled. Over 29,000 applications were processed between January and March.
These applications included:
- 7,000 have already applied for windows and doors grants. Grant go to €4,000 for windows; up to €1,600 for doors.
- Over 1,700 applications are in for attic insulation (up 80% year on year). Grants go up to €2,500.
- Over 1,000 applications came in for cavity wall insulation (up 60% year-on-year). Grants go up to €8,000 for wall insulation, including internal, external and cavity.
- Over 350 applications came in for heat pump installations (up 90% year-on-year). Grants go up to €12,500 for heat pump systems; up to €700 for heating controls
This is a link to suite of new SEAI grant supports announced in January: Energy Upgrades.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
In Budget 2026, Minister O'Brien secured a record allocation of €640 million – to target 73,000 home energy upgrades this year. This includes €340 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. It provides fully-funded upgrades for those in energy poverty.
Since 2019, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes have provided over €1.7 billion in support to homeowners for over 250,000 home energy improvements, including over 32,000 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty (under the Warmer Homes Scheme).
A rooftop revolution is underway across Ireland. Over 112,000 homes have received Solar PV grants since the scheme began. SEAI have received over 15,000 applications for Solar PV in 2026 (to the end of April). This is a 72% increase on the total applications in 2025. Where excess energy is produced, it can be sold into the grid under microgeneration.
On top of this, a new National Residential Retrofit Plan was launched in January. It phased in a range new, more affordable measures.