Tradesfind
Two free tools for Ireland — check the 40 government grants you may qualify for in Kildare, and win prizes from local suppliers. Then find a verified tradesman to do the work.
All 40 grants below are open to Kildare homes and businesses — national schemes apply in every county.
These grants were last reviewed in July 2026. Sources: SEAI, Gov.ie and the county councils.
No sign-up. No catch — straight to the source.Grant toward installing a heat pump — €12,500 for houses, €9,500 for apartments (air-to-air systems €7,500), including a renewable heat bonus and central heating upgrade support. Nearly doubled in February 2026.
Fixed grant toward attic insulation. Amount depends on house type — €800 for apartments up to €2,000 for detached houses; first-time buyers and people on qualifying welfare payments get €2,500 flat.
Grant toward pumped cavity wall insulation — €700 for apartments up to €1,800 for detached houses; people on qualifying welfare payments get €2,300 flat.
Grant toward rooftop solar panels — €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp, €200 per kWp up to 4 kWp. Homes must be built before 2021.
Grant toward dry-lining internal walls — €1,500 for apartments up to €4,500 for detached houses.
Grant toward external wrap insulation — €3,000 for apartments and mid-terrace up to €8,000 for detached houses.
Grant toward solar thermal panels that heat your hot water.
Grant toward upgrading heating controls — smart thermostats, zone controls and time clocks that cut bills without replacing the boiler.
Grants toward complete window upgrades (€1,500–€4,000 depending on house type) and up to two external doors at €800 each. Claimable on their own since March 2026 — no other works required.
Up to €50,000 to refurbish a vacant home you'll live in or rent out — rising to €70,000 if the property is derelict. Paid through your local authority.
Up to €40,000 to adapt a home for a person with a disability — ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms, extensions. Means-tested; apply through your county council.
Up to €10,700 for essential repairs so people aged 66+ can stay in their home — roof repairs, rewiring, heating, windows. Means-tested; apply through your county council.
Up to €8,000 for fast-tracked mobility works — grab rails, access ramps, stair lifts, level-access showers. Means-tested; apply through your county council.
Completely free home energy upgrades — typically attic and wall insulation — for homeowners receiving qualifying social welfare payments. An SEAI-registered contractor surveys your home and installs what suits it, at no cost to you.
One SEAI-registered company manages your full retrofit to a B2 energy rating — grants for each measure are combined and deducted upfront, with a bonus for reaching B2. Ideal for deep renovations.
Up to €300 toward buying and installing an electric vehicle home charger — covers 100% of costs up to the cap. Installation must be done by a Safe Electric registered electrical contractor.
For apartment blocks and multi-unit developments: SEAI funds up to 80% of the charging infrastructure plus €600 per charge point installed. Owners' management companies, landlords, housing bodies and local authorities can apply.
Convert a vacant space above a shop (or the vacant part of a part-commercial building) into homes: up to €95,000 for one home, rising to €135,000 for three or more homes (+20% on offshore islands). Space vacant 2+ years; the commercial part stays in commercial use.
Converting a former commercial or public-use building into two or more homes? On top of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant you can get an additional top-up of up to €40,000 per unit type. New scheme from 31 March 2026 — separate application form at your council's Vacant Homes Office.
Up to €5,000 for a conservation expert to survey a traditional house and report on how to repair and energy-upgrade it without damaging its character — the smart first step before renovating an older home.
Grants of €2,500–€50,000 for repair and conservation of protected structures — includes streams for thatched roofs, vernacular buildings, historic shopfronts and a micro stream for routine maintenance. Apply through your council; reopens July 2026.
Major conservation funding for historic and protected structures — larger projects than BHIS, administered through your council's conservation officer. Annual application cycle.
Covers 100% of remediation up to €462,000 for homes damaged by defective concrete blocks — from wall rebuilds to full demolition and rebuild. Applies in designated counties (Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Limerick and others as added).
The council pays up to €80,000 (incl. VAT) to repair your vacant property to rental standard — you repay it by leasing the home for social housing, keeping ownership. For owners who can't fund the repairs themselves.
Up to €5,000 toward professional advice (architect/engineer/surveyor report) on converting a vacant, derelict or former commercial building into homes — the smart first step before the big refurbishment grants. Nationwide since 31 March 2026; apply via your council's Vacant Homes Office.
For homes on private water supplies: 85% up to €5,000 for a new well, up to €3,000 to rehabilitate an existing well, and 100% up to €1,000 for water-quality treatment (filtration/UV). Apply through your council's rural water section.
85% of costs up to €12,000 to repair, upgrade or replace a septic tank / domestic waste water treatment system — after a council inspection, or if you're in a designated priority area. Raised from €5,000 in January 2024.
For businesses under 18 months old: 50% of your investment up to €80,000 (up to €15,000 per full-time job created). Covers equipment, marketing, salaries and more. Apply through your Local Enterprise Office.
For established small businesses (10 or fewer employees): 50% of your growth investment up to €80,000. Equipment, marketing, hiring — apply through your Local Enterprise Office.
50% of costs up to €15,000 to research whether a new product or service is viable — market research, consultancy, design and prototype development.
Going self-employed from a qualifying social welfare payment? Keep a percentage of your payment for up to 2 years while you build the business. Must be approved in advance by an Employment Personal Adviser.
€2,000 per year for each registered apprentice you employ, paid in two €1,000 instalments (application windows May and November via Apprenticeship Online). Register apprentices within 30 days; tax clearance required.
EU co-funded grants for rural enterprises — tourism and recreation, food production, farm diversification, green economy and innovative small businesses. Everywhere outside the five main cities qualifies. Apply through your Local Action Group (in Kerry: NEWKD / South Kerry Development Partnership).
For businesses in Gaeltacht areas (in Kerry: Corca Dhuibhne / West Kerry): First Steps start-up grants, employment grants, training, R&D, €2,500 TAME export grant, Digital Transition Fund and a Gaeltacht tourism pilot of up to €50,000.
Up to €2,500 (50% co-funded) toward a website, online shop, booking system or digital marketing. For businesses trading 6+ months with 10 or fewer employees and under €2m turnover.
75% of costs from €750 up to €10,000 for energy-saving upgrades to how your business operates — smart controls, heat pumps for processes, efficient equipment replacements (5+ years old).
A €2,000 voucher toward a professional energy audit of your business — the auditor maps where you're losing money on energy and what grants can fix it. The recommended first step before other business energy grants.
Fast-track SEAI grants for businesses: solar PV and thermal, building fabric upgrades (insulation, windows) and heating/cooling system upgrades for your premises.
Most councils run annual grants for improving shopfronts and building facades — painting, signage, traditional shopfront restoration, lighting. Typically 50–80% of costs up to €500–€6,000 (higher when neighbouring premises apply together). Each county opens its own application window — check your council or Local Enterprise Office.
Bursaries of up to €3,000 for eligible apprentices, including a dedicated stream for care leavers — support with the costs of starting and staying in your apprenticeship.
Homeowners in Kildare can apply for 40 live grants and supports — including SEAI energy upgrade grants (heat pumps up to €12,500, insulation, solar), the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant of up to €70,000, and housing adaptation grants up to €40,000.
SEAI energy grants are applied for online at seai.ie. Local-authority schemes — vacant property, housing adaptation, older people and mobility grants — are applied for through Kildare County Council. Every card on this page links to the official application page.
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