Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to put an energy upgrade in place for older local authority homes with solid walls. [37476/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Local authorities are currently undertaking an ambitious programme of insulation retrofitting, with the support of my Department, on the least energy efficient social houses. Funding of €57 million has been provided over the period 2013-2014 for improving the energy performance of older local authority housing stock, resulting in improved energy efficiency and comfort levels, and therefore Building Energy Ratings, in over 30,000 local authority homes. A further €25m is being provided for insulation upgrades in 2015, covering all 31 local authority areas.

Phase 1 of the insulation retrofitting programme commenced in June 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties. Phase 2 will focus on the fabric upgrade works to those remaining dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction. Phase 2 works are currently being carried out on a pilot basis by Fingal and Westmeath County Councils.

Phase 2 upgrades will be co-financed to 50% of eligible investment under the EU Operational Programme 2014-2020. In line with the advancement of the Operational Programme, it is intended to commence Phase 2 in all local authority areas to run concurrently with Phase 1 in 2016.