Sinn Féin has criticised the current system of SEAI grants as “not fair” to low earners and called for a tiered system. 

Currently, homeowners can access grants to subsidise the cost of installing solar panels, heat pumps, new airtight windows and doors, as wall and attic insulation. 

Those in receipt of certain social welfare benefits, such as the Fuel Allowance, are also entitled to apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme. 

Successful applications are entitled to free solar panels, a battery, a heat pump and wall and attic insulation. 

However, many homeowners on low incomes, who do not receive social welfare, say the idea of retrofitting their property is an unaffordable dream. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly said the system needs to be more generous to those on low incomes. 

“The whole system is indicative of how the Government has mismanaged the transition from renewables away towards, or towards renewables away from carbon fuels,” he argued. 

“It certainly hasn't been a just transition.”

A heat pump installed in the garden of a home in Ireland. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

The Kerry TD continued that most people who retrofit their property tend to live in the “more affluent areas” of Cork and Dublin. 

It is a phenomenon that means many people on low incomes remain shut out of the green transition. 

“Ever since the SEAI scheme was introduced by the government in February of 2022, we have said that there should be more tiered grants so that they would be needs-based,” he argued. 

“There should be an area-based delivery to deal with the people in Kerry [where] 66% of people are using home heating oil. 

“There should be an increased investment in local authority housing and then a dedicated programme for households dependent on solid fuels.” 

A man measures loft insulation to retrofit a house. Picture by: Global Warming Images / Alamy Stock Photo.

Also on the programme, Fine Gael TD John Clendennen TD defended the Government’s record, arguing the current system is generous. 

“If you take the likes of attic and wall [insulation],” he said.

“In terms of the grants that you would receive, roughly €4,800 for an average household, with savings of €800 to €1,000 a year, that would be paid for within a matter of years,” he said. 

“So, it is achievable, it is realistic.”

Main image: Workers retrofitting a property by installing solar panels on a roof in Ardara, County Donegal. Picture by: Alamy.com.