Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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61. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans and the anticipated timeline for the deep thermal retrofit of social housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13942/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 homes. Funding of some €107 million has been provided from 2013 to end-2016 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 58,000 local authority homes, benefitting those at risk of fuel poverty and making a significant contribution to Ireland’s carbon emissions reduction targets and energy reduction targets for 2020.

The insulation retrofitting programme is being implemented in a number of phases. Phase 1 commenced in 2013 and is focused on providing attic/roof insulation and the less intrusive cavity wall insulation in all relevant properties.

I assume the Deputy is referring to Phase 2 of the retrofitting programme, which has been piloted in both Fingal and Westmeath County Councils. This will focus on the external fabric upgrade of those social housing units with solid/hollow block wall construction. Phase 2 will be rolled out to all local authorities this year.

Based on the most recent information from local authorities, it is estimated that there are in the region of 23,000 and 28,000 homes requiring Phase 1 and 2 works, respectively.

My Department will shortly be asking local authorities to submit details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for this programme in 2017.