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Energy Conservation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (133)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

133. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to be in a position to issue a new call for proposals and applications for retrofitting projects from local authorities. [3343/22]

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Written answers

My Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013, over 75,000 units of local authority stock have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of over €183 million.

The Energy Efficiency Programme was revised in 2021 around the Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard by 2030, of which approximately 36,500 of those homes are expected to be local authority homes. The Programme is not only geared to meet the PfG commitment but also addresses fuel poverty and the need to improve thermal performance in the social housing stock.

The Programme has received a substantial increase in annual funding and will see a significant increase and ramping up of retrofitting works over the next number of years, building on the good work already undertaken by local authorities to-date. The Programme requires local authorities to move to a deeper level of retrofitting. Eligible works under the programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation, windows and external doors, heat pumps and ancillary works.

A Budget of €65 million was allocated to local authorities in 2021, with €20 million allocated under the Midlands Retrofit Pilot as part of the 'Just Transition' programme, and the balance of €45 million under the 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme.

In 2022, the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme will see a significant increase in funding support to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or equivalent standard.

My Department are currently working with local authorities on shaping the 2022 Energy Efficiency Programme. Final details of the 2022 programme will be announced in due course.

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