A joint campaign by Ennis Environmental Action Group (EEAG) and Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) has led to a sharp rise in applications to the SEAI Fully Funded Warmer Homes Scheme in Ennis, helping low-income households cut bills and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Launched last autumn, the campaign set out to raise awareness of the free home energy upgrades available under the national scheme and to offer hands-on support with applications. The partners used local media and ran information stands, including a stall in the Dunnes Stores walkway in Ennis, to reach older people and households who might otherwise miss out.
New figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)show that the number of Warmer Homes applications from Ennis and the County Clare area between October 2025 and January 2026 rose to 234, compared with an average of 91 for the same four‑month period over the previous three years. That represents an increase of 143 applications in just one season, which the groups say underlines what targeted local outreach can achieve.
Bridget Ginnity of Ennis Environmental Action Group said the scheme offers real and immediate benefits for households as well as the environment. “The homeowner is likely to save about €400 a year and have a more comfortable home,” she noted, adding that the typical carbon saving of one tonne per upgraded home is equivalent to avoiding two return flights to New York every year. In the context of global instability in the Middle East and concerns about oil and gas supplies, even these relatively small reductions in demand contribute to a more secure and resilient energy system.
For CLDC, the campaign has highlighted how digital processes can exclude those who need support most. Hannah Griffey of CLDCemphasised that practical help is often the key. “Many older people face a real barrier of making an online application for the Warmer Homes Scheme, which is something we can help them with,” she said. By sitting down with applicants, talking them through the forms and following up with SEAI where needed, CLDC staff have been able to turn interest into completed applications.
Both organisations stress that the Warmer Homes Scheme is targeted at households on certain social welfare payments, including Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment, One‑Parent Family Payment and a range of other supports. That means the scheme will not reach many homeowners who are struggling with energy costs but do not meet the eligibility criteria, or who face other barriers to taking up energy upgrade grants.
“Our work to date has shown that many homeowners who are not eligible for the Warmer Homes Scheme face barriers to availing of the upgrade grants,” said Bridget Ginnity. “This could be selecting a contractor, finding the total funds upfront before the grant is paid or simply emptying the attic.”
To respond to this gap, EEAG and CLDC are now preparing a new project focused on attic insulation upgrades, starting in one Ennis neighbourhood from April. Under this initiative, the partners will arrange the contractor and provide the total funding and other supports, removing many of the practical and financial hurdles that typically hold people back.
“We encourage homeowners to apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme. Homeowners are eligible if they receive the Fuel Allowance, Working Family or One-Parent Family Payment and various other allowances,” – Hannah Griffey (SICAP Development Officer | Climate Action & Just Transition)
Griffey believes these community‑level measures, while modest compared to national targets, are an important part of a wider response to climate change and energy insecurity. By cutting waste, improving comfort and easing pressure on energy supplies, they show how action at household level links to global challenges. She also wants to see more eligible households coming forward. “We also want to encourage homeowners to apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme,” she said. “Homeowners are eligible if they receive the Fuel Allowance, Working Family or One-Parent Family Payment and various other allowances.”
In a year when conflict in the Middle East is adding to uncertainty in global energy markets and home‑heating costs, modest, local initiatives like these show how communities can take practical steps to protect households while cutting climate‑damaging emissions.
Further information on the SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme is available at www.seai.ie/grants, or by contacting Clare Local Development Company on 065 686 6800. Residents interested in the upcoming attic insulation project can also get in touch with CLDC or Ennis Environmental Action Group to learn more about how to get involved.
Warmer Homes Scheme – Quick FAQ
Who can get the free upgrades?
You must own and live in your home as your main residence, the home must have been built before 2006, and you must receive a qualifying social welfare payment (for example Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment, One‑Parent Family Payment or certain long‑term disability or carer payments).
What kind of work is covered?
Typical measures include attic and wall insulation, draught‑proofing, and other basic energy‑saving upgrades to make the home warmer and cheaper to heat.
Is there a cost to the homeowner?
For eligible households, the scheme is fully funded – there is no charge for the survey or the upgrade works.
How do I apply?
You can apply directly to SEAI online or by post using the Warmer Homes application form, or contact Clare Local Development Company on 065 686 6800 for help with checking eligibility and completing the application.