Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1150. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that the local authority in Donegal has informed councillors that there will only be energy efficiency grants provided in the Letterkenny and Donegal MDs; his views on whether this is appropriate; if he is willing to intervene to ensure other MDs can avail of the grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18545/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) aims to retrofit a local authority home to a minimum BER rating of B2. It is expected that 36,500 local authority owned homes will be retrofitted under this programme over the period of 2021 to 2030 inclusive.

The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit, ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2 BER rating. Works eligible under my Department's revised Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.

Local authorities have been notified of their targets and available funding for the 2025 Programme. To that end, under the 2025 EERP, Donegal County Council has received a preliminary allocation of €5.64m with a requirement to retrofit a minimum of 166 units this year. The decision on which homes to retrofit under this allocation is entirely a matter for Donegal County Council.

Furthermore, preliminary allocations will be reviewed later this year and my Department will aim to support the cost of retrofit works in higher performing local authorities where feasible within the criteria of the scheme.