Which boilers qualify
The minister said it would be for boilers at the end of their lifespan, “beyond a certain year”. The cut-off will be set at Cabinet.
Proposed scheme · not open yet
Boiler scrappage scheme: what we know so far
The Government plans a €2,000 top-up for homeowners who scrap an old oil or kerosene boiler and switch to a heat pump. Here is what has been announced, what isn’t decided yet, and what you can do today.
Quick answer: The Minister for Energy has proposed a €2,000 boiler scrappage grant for scrapping an old oil or kerosene boiler, paid on top of the SEAI heat pump grant of up to €12,500, so up to €14,500 in total. It goes to Cabinet on Tuesday 29 September 2026 and, if approved, would start from January 2027. It is not open yet, and exactly who qualifies is still to be decided.
Updated 25 September 2026 · Checked against RTÉ and Irish Times reports
✓ Independent guidance✓ Based on published reports✓ Help on WhatsApp
The proposed scheme at a glance
| Status | Proposed. Not open for applications |
|---|---|
| Amount | €2,000, on top of the heat pump grant of up to €12,500 (up to €14,500 in total) |
| For | Scrapping an old oil or kerosene boiler at the end of its life and switching to a heat pump |
| Next step | Cabinet decision on Tuesday 29 September 2026 |
| Expected start | January 2027, if approved |
| Not decided yet | Which boilers and homes qualify (the minister said boilers “beyond a certain year”) |
| Not | A grant for a new oil or gas boiler |
What has been announced
On 23 September 2026 the Minister for Energy, Darragh O’Brien, said he would bring a boiler scrappage scheme to Cabinet the following week. It would pay €2,000 to scrap an oil or kerosene boiler that is at the end of its life, as a top-up to the existing SEAI heat pump grant of up to €12,500.
The minister pointed to the many homes, particularly in rural areas, that rely on kerosene and home heating oil, and to the rise in fuel prices. If Cabinet approves it, the scheme would come into effect from January 2027.
What isn’t decided yet
Which homes and heating systems
Reports suggest the home would need to have been built before 2021, as with the heat pump grant, and that other fossil fuel systems could be included. None of this is confirmed.
We will update this page as soon as the details are confirmed.
Heating with oil? Ask us what you could get today.
Chat on WhatsAppWhat you can do today
- The heat pump grant is open now: up to €12,500, including a €4,000 bonus for replacing an oil, gas, solid fuel or electric storage heating system. See our heat pump grant guide.
- Check your home is ready: a heat pump needs a home that holds its heat. Homes built before 2007 usually need a heat loss assessment, and attic and wall insulation grants can help get there.
- If you want the top-up: SEAI grants normally have to be approved before work starts, so check the scheme’s start date and rules before you commit to a new heat pump.
- Not planning a heat pump? The scrappage top-up is not a grant for a new oil or gas boiler, and SEAI doesn’t fund fossil fuel boilers.
Free help on WhatsApp
Ask us about your home.
Tell us about your home and what you want to improve. We explain what may apply, help with the paperwork and, if you want, arrange a callback from a registered contractor where we have a partner in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the boiler scrappage grant?
The proposed grant is €2,000 for scrapping an old oil or kerosene boiler, on top of the SEAI heat pump grant of up to €12,500, so up to €14,500 in total. It is not confirmed until Cabinet approves it.
When does the boiler scrappage scheme start?
If Cabinet approves it on 29 September 2026, it is expected to start from January 2027.
Can I apply for the boiler scrappage scheme now?
No. It is a proposal and not open for applications. You can apply for the SEAI heat pump grant, up to €12,500, today.
Will the scheme pay for a new oil boiler?
No. It is a top-up for switching from an old oil or kerosene boiler to a heat pump. SEAI does not fund new oil or gas boilers.
Should I wait before getting a heat pump?
That depends on your plans. SEAI grants normally need approval before work starts, so if the extra €2,000 matters to you, check the start date and rules before you commit. Meanwhile, the €12,500 heat pump grant is open now, and insulation work can go ahead.
Can HomeGrants keep me updated?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp about switching from oil. We can explain the heat pump grant today and the scrappage top-up once the details are confirmed.
Related guides
Sources and review
This scheme is proposed, so there is no official scheme page yet. This guide is based on the reports below, read on 25 September 2026. We will update it after Cabinet decides and when SEAI publishes the details.