House renovation grants are very convenient for homeowners. They not only save some money in the final budget of the renovation but also help the individual homeowner to make sure that their house is up to code and regulations.
In Ireland, there are numerous home improvement grants depending on the type of building, its historical value and the type of homeowner. In this blog post, we will go through them all and give you valuable tips on how to utilize the housing grants system to your benefit.
Statistics and trends in Irish renovation grants
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More and more homeowners are deciding to apply for house renovation grants in Ireland.
Statistics show that, for example, in 2023 the Sustainable Energy Authority in Ireland (SEAI) has supported over 47 000 homes with energy upgrades. According to the data from SEAI that makes a 76% increase from the previous year.
The other popular grant in Ireland is the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Since September 2024 there have been over 6700 approvals on applications on this grant. Thanks to the grant, there have been approximately 45 million euros distributed for 867 completed projects.
Also, the Local Authority Home Loan has helped over 3800 households to achieve homeownership.
As you can see, there are a lot of possibilities for homeowners in Ireland for different grants and help for your home.
What home renovation grants can you find in Ireland?
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On the website of Citizens Information Ireland, you will find a very definitive list of home renovation grants and other local authority housing grants and supports. Here, we are going to outline the main ones.
Better Energy Homes
The Better Energy Homes Scheme is for homeowners and landlords who want to upgrade their energy efficiency. This grant is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
For this grant, you need to obtain a Building Energy Rating (BER) before you start any work on your property. It is done by a professional assessor from SEAI, who will check the efficiency of your property.
You can apply for an assessment on the SEAI website.
The different grants include:
- Insulation grants (attic insulation, roof, etc.)
- Wall insulation – internal and external
- Heating controls upgrade
- Solar water heating.
If you live on some of the offshore islands in Ireland, then you may get additional support.
How to apply for this grant? Check out the Citizens Information page.
The Warmer Homes scheme
The SEAI also provides free energy upgrades for homeowners to make their properties more sustainable. The Warmer Homes Scheme is tied to certain social welfare payments.
Priority for this grant is for the oldest homes that are least energy efficient. Under this scheme, you can apply again, if your property will benefit from the grant.
The Warmer Homes Scheme includes energy upgrades such as:
- Insulation
- Draught proof
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Other.
The scheme also covers heat pumps.
You will be eligible for this grant if you are getting certain social welfare payments. You can see the full list on the Citizens Information page.
You can apply for this scheme on the SEAI page.
Traditional Farm Buildings Grant
The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant scheme is given out by the Heritage Council of Ireland in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. The main goal of this grant scheme is to ensure that old farming buildings that contribute to the overall landscape and have heritage value continue to stand.
This grant is available only to farmers located in Ireland who are accepted in one of the following schemes:
- Approved participants in ACRES
- Participants in EIP (European Innovation Partnership)
- Approved participants of the Organic Farming Scheme.
The grant covers repairs on traditional farming buildings, walls, gates, pillars, cobbled yards, etc. The size of the grant varies from 4000 to 30,000 euros.
You can apply for the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant online.
Housing Aid for Older People Scheme
The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is yet another grant that aims to provide better living conditions, especially for seniors. This grant covers essential repairs of the older person’s home.
People eligible for this grant must be aged 66 or older and live in poor housing conditions. For people with the lowest income, the grand covers 100% of repairs.
The grant can be used for:
- Major structural repairs
- Roof repairs
- Electrical wiring
- Replacing windows and doors.
The grant also covers additional expenses such as painting, contract cleaning and others, but only if the homeowners are getting other work done on the property.
The size of the grant depends on your yearly income. You can find a detailed breakdown in the Citizens Information website and also information on how to apply for this grant.
Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is for homeowners who have to adapt their property to their individual needs.
People eligible for this grant are homeowners with a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability.
The grant covers repairs related to making the property more accessible, like adding ramps, railing, bathroom modifications for the disabled, etc.
The maximum grant sum you can get is 40,000 euros or 100% of the cost of repairs.
You can find additional information about this grant and how to apply on the Citizens Information website.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers you the chance to fund the repairs of a derelict home. This grant is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, and you can apply through your local authorities.
To be considered under the grant term as vacant and derelict properties, it should have been left vacant 2 years prior to the application date. Also, you must own the property yourself or be in the process of buying it.
This grant provides from 50,000 to 70,000 euros, depending on the state of the property.
You can find additional information on the terms and application process on the Citizens Information website.
An overview of the renovation grants in Ireland
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All of this information may seem a bit overwhelming. Here, we have provided a table with all the grants we talked about, their maximum amounts and eligibility criteria.
| Grant Scheme | Maximum Grant Amount | Eligibility Criteria |
| Better Energy Homes | Varies by measure | All homeowners and landlords. Homes built and occupied before 2011. |
| The Warmer Homes Scheme | Full coverage | Homeowners receive certain social welfare payments. Homes built and occupied before 2006. |
| Traditional Farm Buildings Grant
| 30 000 euro | Homeowners must be farmers in Ireland, and they must be accepted in ACRES, EIP, or OFC. |
| Housing Aid for Older People Scheme
| Up to 10,700 euro | Homeowners aged 66 and above. Annual household income below 60,000 euro |
| Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability
| Up to 40 000 euro | Homeowners with a disability require essential adaptations. Annual household income below €60,000 euro |
| Vacant Properties Refurbishment Grant
| Up to 70 000 euro | Homeowners or buyers intending to occupy the property as their principal private residence. Property must be vacant or derelict for a certain period. |
*Table 1: Overview of the house renovation grants in Ireland, eligibility criteria and maximum grant amount
We advise that you check with your local authorities for any changes in grant eligibility criteria before applying.
What should you keep in mind when applying for grants?
The process of applying for grants can be frustrating and very tiring. There is so much that can go wrong when you assemble all the needed documents.
Here, we have gathered some tips on best practices and also things to avoid in your application process.
Pitfalls to avoid in your application
Some of the most common mistakes when applying for grants come from doing everything in a hurry.
You should avoid at all costs:
- Applying before you have gathered all the documents.
- Applying without carefully researching the grant you want to obtain and its eligibility criteria.
- Ignoring schedules of the application process.
- Start the construction work before the grant is approved.
- Hiring unapproved contractors to do the job.
If you need a qualified professional service with your grant-funded home improvement projects, contact us at IVCG.
Best application practices
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If you are considering applying for a grant for home renovation in Ireland, you have to go through a step-by-step process to achieve that.
The most important steps are:
- Do your research thoroughly – carefully read all documentation and criteria documents.
- Gather all needed documents in advance and sort them through.
- Apply early in the period. This way, you will provide extra time for assessments.
- Follow up on your application
- Make sure to finish all construction work within the grant period.
One other advice we will give you is to contact professionals who can advise you on how to apply for different grants. There are also options for a professional to gather all needed documents and apply in your name. Those services can be costly but will ultimately save time for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there home renovation grants in Ireland?
There are numerous home renovation grants in Ireland depending on the type of building, income and various other criteria.
Are there grants that cover the full amount of renovation costs?
Yes, the Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is one example.
Can I start the renovation and then apply for a grant?
No, you can’t. Most government funding must be approved before any work is done.
