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Energy Efficiency Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2013

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Questions (181)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

181. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the positive results achieved under the DEHLG2010 Energy Efficiency Programme by Dublin City Council where the BER rating on senior citizens' homes in the pilot area went from an F/G rating to a C1/B3 rating and additionally the significant savings which this has provided for the residents; in view of this, if he will outline his plans to extend this funding programme in order that similar retrofitting can be carried out across other senior citizen housing complexes. [19330/13]

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Written answers

The enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department. In March, I announced a capital allocation of €10m to local authorities in respect of these energy efficiency retrofitting works for this year.

This year’s programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building. Over the past two years the retrofitting measure focussed on improvement works with the objective of returning as many vacant units as possible to productive use. Over that period some €52.5 million was recouped to local authorities in respect of improvements carried out to 4,774 dwellings.

In 2013 I am targeting grants at those older houses and apartments which lack adequate insulation and draught proofing. Local authorities have been advised to pay particular attention to dwellings which accommodate older people and people with disabilities.

The retrofitting programme offers a very practical and cost-effective way for local authorities to improve the standard of their housing stock. The programme brings immediate as well as long term benefits for the community as a whole in terms of sustaining and creating jobs, and delivering a greener Ireland for the future.

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