I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 594 together.
My Department has provided funding support under the Social Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme to local authorities since 2013, for insulation and energy efficiency works to their social housing stock and this will continue within the context of the National Retrofitting Plan.
Budget 2021 provided for funding support of €65 million for this activity next year which will see a significant upscaling on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years and will target 2,400 social homes to be upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal level.
In relation to Section 38 and 39 service providers and Approved Housing Bodies, I understand that they can avail of funding to improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock through schemes administered by the SEAI, which is under the oversight of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.