Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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319. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount and type of grant available to those in local authority housing to retrofit and insulate their homes; if this grant will be available to all those paying a local authority rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock rests with each local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. My Department does however provide funding support to local authorities to assist with management and maintenance of their stock under a number of funding programmes.

A strong focus on improving thermal performance in the local authority housing stock remains a priority for my Department. This is evident from the increased ambition under the new retrofitting programme for the local authority housing stock which I announced last week. Funding of €65m has been made available to retrofit 2,400 local authority homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard in 2021, which includes €20m previously allocated under the Midlands Retrofit Programme.

The new programme has been designed around the Programme for Government commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard by 2030, a minimum of 36,500 of which will be local authority homes. The programme focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. Works eligible under the Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement where required, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The programme will benefit householders in many ways; their homes will be easier to heat, have improved comfort levels, indoor air quality should improve and many will experience a saving on their energy bills.

It will be a matter for the local authority to choose which properties to select for retrofitting from the allocation notified to them by my Department.