Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed a new package of enhanced energy grants aimed at helping households and businesses reduce their energy bills.

The measures include a new €2,000 boiler scrappage grant, a €600 home battery grant, increased supports for solar PV and insulation, and enhanced assistance for households at risk of energy poverty.

Minister Canney said: “Energy costs remain a significant pressure for households and businesses and these new supports are designed to help people make practical changes that can deliver lasting reductions in their bills.

“The new €2,000 boiler scrappage grant will provide additional support for homeowners moving away from fossil fuel heating systems, while the introduction of a grant for home battery storage will help more households get the benefit from renewable energy.

“There are also particularly important improvements for lower-income and vulnerable households, including more generous supports for solar panels, batteries and insulation.”

Under the enhanced measures:

  • A new €2,000 boiler scrappage grant will be available for eligible fossil fuel heating systems in homes built before 2021.
  • A new €600 grant for home battery energy storage systems will be introduced.
  • Solar PV and battery systems will be fully funded under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
  • Eligible homeowners receiving certain Department of Social Protection payments will be able to access grants of up to €9,000 for solar PV and battery systems.
  • New attic and cavity wall insulation grants will be available for homes in HAP and RAS tenancies.
  • Eligibility for solar PV and solar thermal grants will be extended to homes built and occupied before 2025.
  • Enhanced supports will also be available to businesses investing in solar PV, heat pumps and solar thermal systems.

Existing supports for measures including insulation, windows, doors and heat pumps can deliver further savings as part of a whole-home energy upgrade.

Minister Canney added: “For many households, the upfront cost of making a home more energy efficient can be a real barrier. Increasing the level of grant support is important in making these improvements more accessible.

All of the measures announced today will open from 6 October 2026, subject to final implementation arrangements. In relation to the boiler scrappage scheme, all eligible homeowners with a heat pump application already in progress will receive an additional boiler scrappage grant of €2,000. The uplift will be added automatically for eligible homeowners. Full terms and conditions, and details in relation to eligibility, will be available in due course.

Note to Editors

Overview of expanded SEAI residential measures

 

Measure

Proposed grant amount

Household savings of up to €/p.a.

Deliver fully-funded solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems under the Warmer Homes Scheme.

Fully funded in WHS

€878

Introduce grants for Solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems for eligible homeowners in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments*.

Up to
€9,000

€878

Introduce a pilot scheme leveraging the existing Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Dublin Pilot to provide substantial grants for solar PV (up to 4kWp) and battery (5kWh) systems for homes in these RAS tenancies.

Up to
€9,000

€878

Expand the offering under the Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme (SPVMV) to provide up to provide 4kWp SPV systems with 5kWh battery storage.

Fully funded

€878

Introduce grants for attic insulation for homes in Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)/RAS tenancies.

€1,400 – €2,500 depending on the house type

€225

Introduce grants for cavity wall insulation for homes in HAP/RAS tenancies.

€900 – €2,300 depending on the house type

€562

Introduce a boiler scrappage scheme for fossil fuel heating systems (in houses built pre-2021) to further promote the adoption of heat pump and other renewable heating systems.

€2,000

€185

Introduce a grant for home battery energy storage systems.

€600

€137**

Extend eligibility of solar PV and solar thermal grants to houses built and occupied pre-2025.

Same as existing SPV and solar thermal grant (€1,800)

€741**

Overview of expanded SEAI business measures

Measure

Proposed grant rate

Estimated savings (for an average installation)

Temporary increase in the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant Scheme***

45% of eligible costs

Approximately €12,000 per annum for approximately 1,250 businesses.

Increased grant aid for heat pumps under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme

45% of eligible costs

Approximately €3,500

Increased grant aid for solar thermal installation under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme

45% of eligible costs

Approximately €3,500

* Qualifying DSP payments:

  1. Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme
  2. Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have child under seven years of age
  3. Working Family Payment
  4. One-Parent Family Payment
  5. Domiciliary Care Allowance
  6. Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for
  7. Disability Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age

** Household savings where a battery is installed alongside a 4kWp Solar PV system can be in the region of up to €878 per year.

*** The NDMG Scheme offers a commoditised grant (fixed value of support per KWh) of solar PV installed. It is proposed to temporarily increase grant rates for a period of 9 months for NDMG from circa 23% of the cost of installation to 45% of eligible costs.