138. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures planned to ensure that rural and off-gas-grid communities are not disproportionately burdened by transitioning to green energy; the additional supports available to them as part of Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60726/26]

139. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment carried out by his Department of regional dependence on solid fuel heating, particularly in the Midlands, Border and western regions; the way this is being reflected in Budget 2027 planning and home-heating transition policies; if he has considered ring-fencing some funds to assist solid fuel homes with rising costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60725/26]

173. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes currently reliant on oil (kerosene) for heating; the proportion located in rural areas without access to the natural gas grid; and the Government’s strategy for providing practical and affordable decarbonisation pathways for these households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62307/26]

178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide an updated analysis of the suitability of heat pumps for older rural homes; the estimated cost of deep retrofits required for effective operation; if alternative technologies such as low carbon liquid fuels have been fully evaluated within the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62309/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 139, 173 and 178 together.

The Programme for Government commits to providing warmer, more comfortable and energy-efficient homes while reducing energy bills, cutting emissions and lowering reliance on fossil fuels.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) residential retrofit programmes are available to all households, including those reliant on oil and solid fuel for heating, to support the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

The Government’s National Residential Retrofit Plan, published in January 2026, introduced a range of new measures and increased grants making it easier for all homeowners to undertake retrofitting and decarbonise their heating.

The National Retrofit Plan is delivering at scale and pace. Capital expenditure of over €1.95 billion has delivered over 280,000 home energy upgrades from 2019 to end July 2026, including over 38,500 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme.

In 2026, a record capital budget of €640 million, including €558 million from carbon tax receipts, has been allocated to the SEAI's residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme.

Details of my Department’s financial allocation for 2027 will be finalised through the Estimates process and announced in the Budget. Detailed allocations at programme and subhead level, including for the retrofit programme, will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) in December.

The CSO’s latest home heating figures published in November 2025 show that in 2024, nationally 26% of people reported using kerosene as the main heat source, with this percentage rising to 41% in rural locations. The CSO report does not provide a breakdown on the proportion of these without access to the natural gas grid. The CSO report is available at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-hebeu/householdenvironmentalbehaviours-energyuse2024/keyfindings/.

The SEAI’s processes regarding old stone houses are determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating the NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of Practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.

The rationale for this approach is that stone-built (traditional built) structures were designed to be vapour permeable. Therefore, the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question, including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable.

The SEAI launched a pilot scheme for the retrofit of traditionally built homes in September 2024. The pilot has an objective of gathering data on technical issues, materials, products, and installation costs of the types of solutions set out in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance: Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings: Guidance for Specifiers and Installers.

The pilot scheme is currently available under the SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which provides an end-to-end service for homeowners.

Any decisions to expand traditional home retrofits beyond the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the network of One Stop Shops, along with analysis of estimated costs, will be informed by the findings of the pilot scheme which are expected in 2027.