My Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of local authority homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 over 73,500 units of social housing stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of €161 million under the scheme.
The Energy Efficiency Programme was revised in 2021 with an increased Budget of €65 million, to include the Midlands Retrofit Programme, and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. This revised programme will see a significant upscaling to ‘deeper retrofit’ on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years. The 2022 programme will see a further budget increase to €85 million.
My Department received a Capital Appraisal from Cork City Council for the Noonan Road Apartments in 2021. This application covered Energy Efficiency upgrades and general refurbishment/upgrade works which were not covered by a specific funding programme. Cork City Council have been informed by my Department that they can apply for funding under the 2022 Energy Efficiency programme. Funding may also be available under the Voids/Planned Maintenance Programmes, as appropriate, for non energy efficiency works.