Written Answers Nos. 62-82
62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 29 February 2024, the steps a person (details supplied) can take to ensure they receive their renewed passport in their new name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12446/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application raised by the Deputy, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
Having reviewed its policy for passport renewal applicants resident in Ireland who wish to change their name and having been issued a Gender Recognition Certificate by the Department of Social Protection, the Passport Service can confirm that the following documents are required:
• Original Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
• Current Irish passport.
63. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how a child born in Ireland in 2008 to Romanian citizen parents can qualify for an Irish passport in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12454/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended ("the 2008 Act"). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement when making a first time passport application.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended ("the 1956 Act"). Under the 1956 Act, the citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 is determined by the citizenship or residency status of one of their parents at the time of the person’s birth.
A person born on or after 1 January 2005 may claim citizenship by birth where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four years preceding his/her birth (a total of 1,095 days).
In order to prove this residency period when applying for a passport on behalf of their child, the parent must provide acceptable documentary evidence. The documents required to prove the residency period vary depending on whether the parent was an EU or non-EU citizen at the time of the child’s birth.Accordingly, the Passport Service is obliged to seek documentary evidence of Irish citizenship before a passport can be issued. It is not possible to issue a passport in the absence of such evidence.
Information on what is required for all first time passport applications, including details on documentary requirements, guardianship and consent, are available at my Department’s website (www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/documentary-requirements/).
If a person born in Ireland after 1 January 2005 is unable to prove their entitlement to Irish citizenship through the citizenship or residency status of one of their parents at the time of their birth, they may be entitled to citizenship through naturalisation.
Information on Irish citizenship through naturalisation is available from the Department of Justice which has responsibility for that process.
64. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if in line with the recent report of Operation Kenova in Northern Ireland, he will advocate for a national day of commemoration on 21 June, for all of those who lost their lives during the Troubles on the islands of Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12458/24]
View answerJune 21st, the longest day of the year, is a day for the people of Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Great Britain and further afield to reflect on the Troubles and acknowledge the hurt and pain caused by that violence in a positive and inclusive way, whether publicly or privately.
The idea for a Day of Reflection emerged from the Healing through Remembering Report in 2002. Healing through Remembering is an organization my Department’s Reconciliation Fund has been a long-term supporter of, awarding over €400,000 in grant funding since 2012. Healing through Remembering is an organization that seeks to address the legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland through discussions, story-telling networks, commemoration events and exhibitions. In 2021, the Reconciliation Fund provided funding for a programme of activities for the Day of Reflection and in 2022, the Reconciliation Fund providing funding for a Day of Reflections exhibition. Other Reconciliation Fund partners such as WAVE, Corrymeela and the Holy Well Trust have also arranged events and projects where people can come together on the day in an initiative that can benefit all communities and wider society.
Last year, on the Day of Reflection, the Financial Times published an article by me in which I acknowledged the importance of this day, the need for a path to truth and justice for victims and of the need to consider how we achieve true reconciliation on these islands. My predecessors in this role have also supported the Day of Reflection with statements of solidarity and acknowledgment of the hurt and pain caused to victims and their families. The Government were represented by officials from the Irish Secretariat in Belfast at a number of events on the 21 June last year.
Throughout my previous roles and now as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have valued the opportunity to meet with numerous victims' groups, families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks, North and South on the island of Ireland, to hear their views, experiences and concerns.
I will continue to maintain my ongoing engagement with victims' groups from all communities, to take account of their views and maintain their needs at the core of our approach to dealing with the past and achieving true reconciliation. This includes recognizing and respecting the importance of the Day of Reflection on 21 June.
65. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in instances in which a person has recently changed their name to its Irish version by deed poll and therefore cannot provide the requisite proof of two years' habitual usage or more of their Irish name, if such a person may legally continue to travel on their old passport which displays the English version of their name during the interim two year period only after which they can provide evidence of two years' habitual usage; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty which current rules on habitual usage timeframes present to such individuals when travelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12488/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and procedures that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.
Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate or naturalisation certificate. However, a name change for a passport from that which appear on a person's birth certificate is permitted under the Act in situations such as marriage, civil partnership etc, where civil or legal documents are available to verify this change.
In cases where a name change arises, other than by marriage or civil partnership etc, the Passport Service requires evidence in respect of the use of this new name and identity over a two year period. Evidence of this for at least two years through documentation such as bills, bank statements or official correspondence is required as a deed poll is not adequate evidence of the constant use of a new name.
The Passport Service has put in place an option for those citizens who wish to use the Irish form of their names, but who lack the full two years proof of use. In these circumstances, the Irish form of the name will be personalised on the passport with the birth name added as an observation on the passport. Once the two year proof of usage has been obtained, the passport holder can re-apply for a new passport in his/her Irish name without any observation.
This policy seeks to protect the integrity and security of the Irish passport against identity fraud, while at the same time balancing the wishes of those citizens, who wish to use the Irish language more frequently in their daily lives. The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport currently ranks third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 192 countries.
Further information for citizens who wish to change their name from English to Irish on their passport is available at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/documentary-requirements/adult.
66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will consider signing up to an organisation (details supplied) which aims to scale up school meal programmes around the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/24]
View answerThe fight against hunger is a central priority of Ireland's international development programme. We are committed to supporting quality education, with a focus on education in emergencies and girls’ education. This is in line with Ireland’s commitment to delivering for those furthest behind first and with our belief that quality education is one of the most effective strategies for empowering women and girls. Regular nutritious food enables schoolchildren to take full advantage of the education provided to them.
In 2022 and again in 2023 Irish Aid scaled up support for nutrition interventions, with a particular focus on the prevention and treatment of child malnutrition. In 2022 Ireland also provided more than €41 million in support to global education, with similar levels likely to be confirmed in 2023 and 2024.
The School Meals Coalition was established under the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. Ireland supports the objectives in developing countries and provides financial support to a number of nutrition and education partners that are active in the coalition. These include the World Food Programme, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait, and the World Health Organisation, all of which are involved in school feeding programmes where relevant and appropriate. Irish Aid will continue to support these partners.
67. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Indonesia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12558/24]
View answerIreland’s bilateral ties with Indonesia are strong and growing. Our relationship dates back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1984 and was strengthened by the opening of an Irish Embassy in Jakarta in 2014. This year, Ireland and Indonesia celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the opening of our Embassy in Jakarta. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London is accredited to Ireland and my Department is in regular contact with Embassy officials.
Ireland regularly engages with Indonesia through both bilateral and multilateral fora. Foreign Minister of Indonesia, H.E. Ms. Retno Marsudi, and I both participated in an Irish-Indonesian hosted event at the UN in September 2023 on Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls.
In February of this year, the Minister of State in my Department with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., and the Minster for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, H.E. Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi, both attended the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brussels. This meeting resulted in a Joint Ministerial Statement addressing a wide range of issues faced by Ireland and Indonesia, including EU-ASEAN cooperation, trade, climate and emissions, and human rights.
In 2023, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers T.D., visited Indonesia as part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme where he met with a number of Indonesian Government Ministers. Following this visit, in October 2023 Minister Chambers was the Guest of Honour at the Experience Indonesia event in Dublin, hosted by the Embassy of Indonesia.
My Department regularly engages with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. In October 2022, senior officials in my Department travelled to Jakarta for Bilateral Consultations. A wide range of topics were discussed, including the economy, education, health, the creative industry, green issues and sustainable tourism, alongside foreign policy issues.
68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of staff based at the Irish embassy and consulates in China who are fluent in speaking and writing in Mandarin Chinese. [12634/24]
View answerDeveloping and maintaining foreign language proficiency in our Embassies and Consulates abroad is important in building key relationships and enabling officers to integrate more deeply.
A wide range of skills are required to carry out the functions of an Embassy and Consulate General and, to that end, the staffing profile of our Missions include both posted staff and locally-hired staff.
A total of 50 staff, including 19 posted and 31 locally-hired staff, are currently employed by Ireland’s Consulate General in Shanghai and our Embassy to China in Beijing, which includes a Visa Office.
Overall, 62% of the staff members are fluent in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. A further 6 staff members have intermediate or advanced Mandarin Chinese language skills. Remaining staff are at beginner or basic levels.
Where fluency in Mandarin is necessary for any particular role, this is taken into account in the recruitment and appointment process.
69. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 5 March 2024, the number of passport applications received from persons with an address in the north of Ireland in each of the years 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12702/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target, and no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The number of passport applications received for applicants residing in Northern Ireland from 2015 to date are outlined below in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
TOTAL |
|
2015 |
53,923 |
|
2016 |
68,153 |
|
2017 |
83,134 |
|
2018 |
88,578 |
|
2019 |
120,759 |
|
2020 |
50,565 |
|
2021 |
59,778 |
|
2022 |
128,966 |
|
2023 |
123,724 |
|
2024 (to 13th March) |
39,141 |
70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12720/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs provides funding to a range of non-governmental organisations through a series of grant schemes dedicated to delivering on the Government's priorities at home and abroad. These include support for international development overseas, development education in Ireland, reconciliation on the island of Ireland, emigrant support and information on the European Union as well as responding to humanitarian emergencies and promoting international peace and stability.
Through the Government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, also known as Irish Aid, the Department provides funding to international development NGOs to implement programmes and projects in those countries which are classified by the OECD as eligible for official development assistance. The OECD has commended Ireland for the quality of our partnerships with international development NGOs. Our NGO partners are well placed to ensure aid reaches those to whom it is intended and are very well informed of the realities on the ground.
Each year my Department publishes an Annual Report on Ireland's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programme. That Annual Report includes information on expenditure across Government on international development. Approximately 60 percent of Ireland’s total ODA is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the balance administered by other Departments. The Annual Report provides statistical information collated in accordance with agreed OECD standards on programme expenditure which show the amounts given through the various channels and countries, the distribution of aid, and the amounts allocated to priority focus areas. This information includes grants made to NGOs in each year.
The Government of Ireland ODA Annual Report is a core accountability and transparency tool, providing a comprehensive tabulation and overview of expenditure under the aid programme, and demonstrating the results achieved.
The 2022 Irish Aid annual report is available here:assets.ireland.ie/documents/Government_of_Ireland_Official_Development_Assistance_Annual_Report_2022.pdf. The 2021 report is available here: www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/IrishAid_AR_2021_WEB_V5-FA.pdf. Information on 2023 grants will be published in the 2023 Irish Aid Annual Report later this year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a number of funding schemes that support our other priorities at home and abroad. Information on these schemes and on the amounts of grants disbursed are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/93163-department-of-foreign-affairs-funding/.
Some of these schemes will report later this year on expenditure.
In relation to funding disbursed under the Shared Island Civil Society Fund, information on expenditure is provided here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b66e8-tanaiste-announces-new-round-of-funding-for-cross-border-projects/.
71. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied), including its representatives, from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12740/24]
View answerSince 1st January 2019 to date, officials of my Department have engaged with representatives of the named organisation on 18 occasions. Most of these engagements took place at fora and events at which both organisations were involved, as well as a smaller number of bilateral engagements. In addition, I participated in events with the organisation on three occasions during the period concerned and met with them last year.
72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times in 2023 and to-date in 2024 where the Irish consulate general or deputy consulate general based in Los Angeles has met with the governor of the state of Nevada, in tabular form. [12787/24]
View answerIreland's Consulate General in Los Angeles covers the region of Southern California, as well as the U.S. states of Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada. The Consul General and Vice Consul in the Consulate General in Los Angeles have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Nevada. The Consulate General in Los Angeles continues to engage with key stakeholders in Nevada, including the local Irish community and state political representatives, and maintains contact with local authorities in order to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in Nevada as required.
73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the current situation in Haiti was discussed at the last EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [12788/24]
View answerI remain deeply concerned by the political, social and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. That concern deepened in recent weeks, as the level of criminal violence and unrest reached critical levels.
The situation in Haiti was discussed at the most recent Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on 18 March. The concern of EU Member States was reflected in the EU’s Item 4 statement at the current session of the Human Rights Council, which reiterates the EU's serious concerns regarding the continued crisis in Haiti, highlighting the importance of political dialogue, and reaffirming EU support for Haiti’s stability, development and regional integration.
Haiti's multi-faceted crises can only be comprehensively addressed through a viable, inclusive and sustainable Haitian-led political transition. The UN Secretary General’s affirmation that the UN Mission in Haiti will continue to support Haiti on the path towards peaceful, credible, participatory and inclusive elections is welcome, as is the work of the Caribbean Community in facilitating progress. The rapid deployment of the UN Security Council-endorsed Multinational security support mission will assist stabilisation of the situation and secure the pathway to elections.
I am committed to supporting Haiti. My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, provided over €2.8m in humanitarian and civil society funding to Haiti in 2023. This came in addition to our contribution to pooled funds such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which allocated over $US26 million to Haiti in 2023. Ireland provided €14.5 million to the CERF last year. Haiti is the main recipient of EU humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean, with at least €470.5 million allocated since 1994, while EU development funding to Haiti for the period 2021-24 is €120 million.
74. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for a person (details supplied) will issue before 24 March 2024 as they are due to travel on a school trip on that date but the passport is not expected until 25 March 2024. [12853/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 26 January 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a passport.
75. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 11 March 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
76. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on a foreign birth register application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13096/24]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 8 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received for the application on 20 February 2024. These documents are currently being processed, and a member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in due course.
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13112/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application has been approved.
78. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to confirm receipt of a foreign birth registration application from a person (details supplied); and if an indication of a turnaround time is available. [13118/24]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or through naturalisation.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant has completed the online application form. However, none of the supporting documents required to progress the application have been received by the Passport Service. The turnaround time from receipt of all required supporting documents is 9 months. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
79. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current processing times for applications for foreign birth registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/24]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or naturalistion.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) remains high. Over 35,000 applications were received in 2023, an increase of 27% on the previous year.
Thanks to additional resourcing, the turnaround time for processing FBR applications has reduced from two and a half years in 2022 to 9 months currently, a decrease in processing time of 75%. Applications that are incomplete and require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Further information on citizenship is available on my Department's website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship.
80. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's position on the Egyptian authorities charging Gazans thousands of dollars to gain entry to their state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13129/24]
View answerI am aware of reports that payments have been requested in exchange for evacuation assistance for Palestinians living in Gaza. My officials are continuing to monitor the situation through our missions in the region.
Ireland’s three key diplomatic priorities have been made clear: we need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, a drastic increase in access to humanitarian assistance and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I will continue to engage with my Egyptian counterparts on these issues.
81. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for his Department and all public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13196/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is not currently engaged in any PPP projects, nor is planning underway in relation to any such projects.
82. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the new low-cost EIB group-supported home energy upgrade loan scheme will be delivered; if he will provide more information on the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11561/24]
View answer88. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when loans will be available under the home energy upgrade loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11750/24]
View answer95. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects the details of the low-cost loan scheme for home retrofits to be finalised and announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11994/24]
View answer104. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details and commencement date for the low-cost home energy upgrade loan scheme that was announced in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12198/24]
View answer113. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline any further details regarding the new low interest retrofit loans for homeowners scheme which was announced in October 2023 and due to be in place by February 2024 (details supplied); can he confirm these details and make a further statement on the timing and details of this initiative. [12593/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 88, 95, 104 and 113 together.
In order to assist with the achievement of our retrofit targets, the Programme for Government, Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan committed to the introduction of a new residential retrofit low-cost loan scheme.
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. An agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group underpinning the new Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was announced in October 2023.
The €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the EIB. Homeowners will be able to borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years. The interest rates will be significantly lower than those currently available on the market as a result of the combination of the EIB Group loan guarantee and a Government-funded interest rate subsidy.
The Home Energy Upgrade loans will help reduce the financial challenges for many homeowners and will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency, making their homes warmer, cheaper to run and helping to lower emissions. It will also signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy.
It is anticipated that the loans will be available in the coming weeks through participating retail lenders.
