Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Energy Conservation

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

350. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of council homes that have been retrofitted under the midlands retrofit programme 2020, by county; the associated funding costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22750/22]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2020, funding of €20 million was made available as part of the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan for an energy efficiency retrofitting programme to fund upgrades to local authority houses in the midlands, under the 'Just Transition' programme. The Midland Retrofit Programme was established as a pilot programme to provide learnings on the move to 'deeper retrofit', to trial the aggregation concept and provide economic stimulus to the counties most affected by the cessation of peat harvesting for electricity generation. It centred therefore on upgrading larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas. 

The Midlands Retrofit Programme experienced significant delays due to the effects of COVID-19 and other obstacles including tendering and supply chain issues particularly concerning Heat Pumps, Windows & Doors, and Insulation.  Notwithstanding these challenges, local authorities undertook a lot of the preparatory work on the Programme in 2020 and in 2021 brought their targeted units to tender and commencement stage.

In 2021, 146 properties  were completed under the Midlands Retrofit Programme.  A breakdown of the funding provided and number of properties upgraded under the Programme is available on my Department’s website at the following link.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/

It is envisaged that the remaining units targeted under the programme will be completed this year and statistics in relation to 2022 will be available in early 2023. This will conclude the MRP Pilot Programme as the newly revised Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme is available across all 31 local authorities since 2021.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.