The Green Party has called for a major expansion of retrofit supports in Budget 2026, highlighting the role construction will play in cutting household energy costs and reducing emissions.

Party leader Roderic O'Gorman TD said greater financial backing is needed to help families upgrade their homes with measures such as insulation, solar power and heat pumps.

"When families retrofit their homes, they cut their fuel bills, they're houses are warmer and more comfortable, and they reduce their emissions too," O'Gorman explained. "The Climate Change Advisory Council has singled out the 'built environment' – homes, public buildings and commercial businesses – as an area where our emissions actually increased last year. That is why the Government needs to use Budget 2026 to increase investment in retrofit, make it cheaper for families, and increase the numbers of homes making a switch."

-- Advertisement --

The Climate Change Advisory Council has also urged the Government to step up funding for local authorities so that more social housing can be retrofitted. According to O’Gorman, investment in this area will not only bring down emissions but also deliver warmer, more efficient buildings across the housing sector.

Green Party Climate Change and Energy spokesperson Ossian Smyth pointed to progress made so far but stressed the need to go further. "The Green Party worked hard in government to expand home retrofit supports – and as a result last year SEAI delivered their highest ever number of home energy upgrades – 54,000; including 22,000 B2 upgrades. Today's statement from the CCAC shows that this effort must continue, and must expand. It’s up to this Government to do it and Budget 2026 is the first test."