Homeowners who want to replace windows and doors and insulate their homes will be able to receive thousands of euros in new and enhanced grants as part of a package announced by Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien.
More than half a billion euros has been provided by Government for the package, which will target 70,000 homes this year.
It will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI).
Over the past six years, Government has invested €1.3bn in upgrading and retrofitting almost a quarter of a million homes.
The Programme for Government contains commitments to increase those figures.
This afternoon, Minister O'Brien published details of how that will be done, through the National Retrofit Plan 2026.
Under the plan, €558m has been set aside to upgrade and retrofit homes.
Insulation grants will be increased to €2,000 for attics and €1,800 for cavity walls.
First time buyers of existing houses will be able to avail of an additional €500 for attic insulation, while homeowners qualifying for welfare payments will also be able to avail of higher grants, to accelerate the uptake among those who might be at risk of energy poverty.
A new grant of €4,000 will be available to homeowners who wish to install heat pumps in their homes, bringing to €12,500 the maximum grant for the replacement of a whole-of-house heating system.
Grants of up to €4,000 will be available to replace windows and up to €1,600 to replace doors.
There are also new and enhanced measures to support area-based retrofitting and vulnerable households, local authority homes and approved housing bodies.
The measures will come into effect between now and the beginning of March.
Minister O'Brien said the measures are aimed at making more homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy costs.
"Last year, we helped more than 58,000 homeowners to benefit from energy upgrades under SEAI schemes," Minister O'Brien said.
"We will build on that this year, widening the net to upgrade even more homes in 2026 and making home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible to all."
Chief Executive of the SEAI William Walsh described the package of measures announced today as a huge boost.
"Last year was a record year for SEAI, but now, with these new measures, we will go even further, bringing lower energy bills and more comfortable, healthier living to thousands more across the country," he said.
"We've built up the industry, we have the expertise, and now we have the momentum. There really has never been a better time to retrofit your home and at SEAI, we are here to help you every step of the way."
