Overview of Dublin Airport Schemes
Dublin Airport has developed a range of residential and community support schemes designed to address the impacts of aircraft noise. These schemes provide a combination of full dwelling insulation, targeted bedroom-focused grant support, support for educational facilities, and, in the highest noise areas, a voluntary property purchase option.
- Residential Noise Insulation Scheme (RNIS): comprehensive, whole-home insulation works, with an average investment of approximately €100,000 per property.
- Proposed Residential Sound Insulation Grant Scheme (RSIGS): a bedroom-focused scheme providing grants of up to €30,000 for targeted insulation measures. Proposed and communicated scheme, awaiting final approvals.
- Schools Insulation Scheme (SIS): a scheme supporting insulation works in educational facilities.
- Voluntary Dwelling Purchase Scheme (VDPS): a voluntary property purchase scheme offering 30% above market value, in addition to typical moving and associated supports up to approximately €14,500.
Residential Noise Insulation Schemes
Here you will find information about residential noise insulation eligibility and measures offered by Dublin Airport.
Voluntary Dwelling Purchase Scheme
Access information about the Voluntary Dwelling Purchase Scheme.
School Insulation Scheme
Here you will find information about the School Insulation Scheme.
How Dublin Airport Residential Insulation Schemes Compare Internationally
Eligibility Criteria
Across international airports, eligibility for residential noise mitigation schemes is typically determined using defined noise thresholds. The most common approach is to apply a single threshold measure, such as a defined dB LAeq,16hr, while some airports use a combination of day, night and event-based criteria, which can make direct comparison between schemes less straightforward.
Dublin Airport’s RNIS provides full insulation for homes within the 63 dB LAeq,16hr contour, while the proposed RSIGS introduces a lower threshold of 55 dB Lnight to address the impacts of night-time operations. This reflects a tiered approach, similar to that adopted at some other airports, such as London City Airport, which applies multiple thresholds (66 dB, 63 dB and 57 dB LAeq,16hr) linked to different levels of support.
Extent of Works
There is significant variation internationally in the scope of works delivered under residential insulation schemes. Many airports provide partial or targeted interventions, such as window replacement or ventilation systems, typically within capped grant limits. For example, Manchester Airport offers grants of up to approximately £2,000, while Gatwick’s current scheme focuses primarily on windows and doors, which is capped at £4,300 + VAT.
In France, schemes are generally based on percentage funding, ranging from 80-100% based on means testing.
Dublin Airport’s RNIS provides full dwelling insulation, including windows, ventilation and attic insulation, representing a far more comprehensive approach when compared to manyinternational schemes. The average investment of approximately €100,000 per home under RNIS, and up to €30,000 under RSIGS, compares with typical funding levels of approximately £2,000 to £38,000 at UK airports.
Overall, Dublin Airport’s approach focuses on delivering meaningful, whole-home improvements for those most affected by aircraft noise, alongside substantial grant support for a wider group of homes.
How Dublin Airport’s Buy-Out Scheme Compares
At most international airports, support for residents in the highest noise areas is typically limited to relocation assistance rather than full property purchase. These supports generally range from approximately £5,000 to £20,000 and are designed to assist with moving costs rather than provide a comprehensive buy-out option.
Some airports, such as Schiphol, historically implemented large-scale property acquisition programmes, however, these were state-led initiatives and have since closed, with current approaches focusing primarily on insulation schemes.
In this context, Dublin Airport’s Voluntary Dwelling Purchase Scheme represents a more comprehensive and financially substantial offering compared to the more limited relocation supports available at most comparable international airports. The VDPS offers eligible homeowners the option of a full property purchase at a 30% premium above market value, with the valuation assessed excluding the impact of North Runway. This is in addition to supports such as legal fees, stamp duty and moving costs, typically amounting to approximately €14,500.
Comparison of International Schemes
Insulation Schemes
Airport (Scheme) | Eligibility Criteria (dB) | Extent of Works | Comment |
Dublin Airport (RNIS) | 63 dB LAeq,16hr | Fully funded full dwelling insulation (windows, ventilation, attic), ~€100k average per home | Comprehensive whole-home treatment |
Dublin Airport (RSIGS – proposed) | 55 dB Lnight | Grant up to €30,000 for targeted insulation works | Bedroom-focused, Proposed and communicated scheme, awaiting final approvals |
Heathrow (Quieter Homes) | 63 dB day / 55 dB night + additional criteria | Up to £34,000 (linked to inflation), including full-house measures in some cases |
|
Gatwick (Current Scheme) | 60 dB LAeq,16hr | Up to £4,300 +VAT, primarily windows and doors focused |
|
Gatwick (Proposed NRP) | 54–63 dB LAeq,16hr (tiered) | Tiered support from £4,300 + VAT up to £26,000 covering ventilation to near full-house mediation | Proposed scheme |
Manchester Airport (Grant Scheme) | Defined boundary | Up to £2,000 (80% contribution) |
|
Paris Airports (French system) | Airport-defined zones | 80–100% funding (means tested, room-based limits) |
|
Schiphol (Historic Scheme) | ~60 dB contour | Fully funded insulation (historic programme) | State-led, now closed |
Schiphol (Current approach) | Limited to high-noise areas | Facade focused insulation |
|
Buy-out and Insulation Schemes
| Airport (Scheme) | Eligibility | Extent of Supports | Comments |
| Dublin Airport (VDPS) | 69 dB LAeq,16hr contour | Full property buy-out at 30% above market value, plus legal fees, stamp duty and moving costs (~€14.5k) | Voluntary buy-out scheme |
| Heathrow (Home Relocation Assistance Scheme) | 69 dB LAeq contour | Financial support: £10,000 + 1% of sale price (max £20,000), plus moving assistance | Relocation support |
| Heathrow (Interim Property Hardship Fund) | Panel Decision | Full property buy-out at market rate (no additional uplift) | Evidence of inability to sell on open market and a compelling need to move required; applications assessed by a panel, no automatic qualification |
| Gatwick (Home Relocation Assistance Scheme – Proposed) | 66 dB LAeq contour | Covers removals, legal costs, stamp duty, and 1% estate agent fee | Proposed scheme Relocation support; linked to Northern Runway proposal |
| Manchester Airport (Home Relocation Assistance Scheme) | 69 dB LAeq contour | Maximum of £5,500 payment plus advisory support | Relocation support; resident must relocation required to an area less exposed to noise, <63 dB area |
| Schiphol Airport (Historic State Scheme) | High noise zones | Market value property acquisition and relocation (state-led) | State operated; historic scheme now closed |
