Cuts to energy efficiency retrofit programme disgrace
The government’s cuts to the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme have been condemned by local representatives.
“The cuts to the Retrofitting Programme for Social Housing is disgraceful, especially under the watch of the Green Party, who championed the Retrofitting programme as a way to “reduce carbon emissions by half”,” said Councillor Darragh Adelaide (PBP).
It was revealed in September’s Council meeting that funding for South Dublin County Council’s retrofitting scheme has been reduced by 44.67% since 2022.
In 2022 the council was allocated €5.1 million with a target of retrofitting 146 homes.
In 2024 this was cut to €2.822 million with a target of only 83 homes.
The Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting Programme (EERP) was launched in 2013 with the aim of funding the retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works.
The programme was revised in 2021 in light of Programme for Government commitments.
Under the EERP local authority owned dwellings in South Dublin County are to be retrofitted to a BER rating of B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (CoE).
According to the Council, the programme focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided, namely a heat pump.
Furthermore the Council figures provide data regarding its progress to date on a total of 422 units by stage and local electoral area under the ERRP.
Tallaght South has the largest number of retrofits completed at 82 but has none at the pre-tender or contractor stage.
Tallaght Central has 22 retrofits complete but has 55 at the pre-tender stage and just one at the Contractor stage.
Potentially Palmerstown/Fonthill could see the largest number of retrofits with 58 completed, 41 at the pre-tender stage and 15 at the contractor stage.
In total 263 units have been completed to date in South Dublin with 96 at the pre-tender stage and 63 at the contractor stage.
“Retrofitting homes is both a means to reach our climate targets and cut down on energy costs during the cost-of-living crisis,” added Cllr Adelaide.
Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD for Dublin mid-west was also critical of the government, particularly the Green Party.
“Allowing cuts to the retrofitting programme shows that rather than looking out for the environment, the Green Party serves to greenwash government environmental failures,” he said.