Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
345. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when funding will be made available to Donegal County Council to complete the replacement of single-glazed windows and doors under the retrofit scheme; the level of funding allocated to Donegal County Council for such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/21]
View answerResponsibility for the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is the responsibility of the local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. My Department supports local authorities with annual funding to support management and maintenance of their social housing stock under a number of funding programmes.
The programmes include the newly revised 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme which I launched last week with an initial allocation to local authorities of €35 million in funding for the retrofitting of 1,293 homes. The balance of €10m is available for allocation to local authorities that submit a work programme for 2021 which demonstrates an ability to complete the retrofit of additional properties and spend their full allocation in 2021.
This revised programme, designed around the Programme for Government 2020 commitments, 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, with all properties upgraded required to reach a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal level.
Donegal County Council was notified of a preliminary allocation of €1,220,546 with a requirement to retrofit a minimum of 45 properties.
