Fianna Fáil Senator for Roscommon/Galway, Eugene Murphy, has welcomed the significant allocations and targets under the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for Social Housing.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, announced an initial allocation of €35m for the retrofitting of 1,293 homes while the balance of funding (€10m ) will then be allocated to LAs who demonstrate an ability to complete additional work and spend their full allocation in 2021.
The Programme for Government (PfG ) commits to retrofitting 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent BER standard by 2030. It is expected that approximately 36,500 of those with be local authority owned homes.
“The 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme has an important increase in funding support of €65m, €20m of which has been allocated under the midlands retrofit programme. Last year we saw an allocation of €20m from Carbon Tax to eight local authorities under the Midlands Retrofit Project.
“This is significant funding and is helping provide an economic stimulus to the regions most affected by Bord na Móna and ESB closures in areas such as Westmeath following the closure of Lough Ree and Shannonbridge power stations,” Senator Murphy commented.
Senator Murphy said that a breakdown of the allocation of €35 million announced this week by Minister O’ Brien involved an allocation of €498,398 to Westmeath County Council for retrofitting 18 units.
“Retrofitting homes can help create high-quality, sustainable jobs in local communities throughout the country, and can help play an important role in our economic recovery.
“In addition to the €65m funding available, funding of €5m is available in the Local Government Fund to help resource local authorities to respond to the new programme and deliver on the ambitious targets,” Senator Murphy stated.
