Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
365. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process in place to check the standard of work carried out where a grant from a local authority is being paid; if he is satisfied all regulatory requirements are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/24]
View answerIn 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under the revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The selection of properties for inclusion in my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme, assessment of eligible works required and prioritisation of works is a matter for each individual local authority in their administration of the programme. To that end pre works surveys must be carried out so as to inform the works to be carried out to achieve the minimum B2/Cost Optimal BER post works and appropriate Heat Loss Indicator is reached where Heat Pumps are deployed.
Prior to the recoupment of funding to the local authority sector, each individual dwelling submitted as part of a funding request is assessed against the criteria of the scheme to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and guidance documents.
