LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING TO GET €30m ENERGY EFFICIENCY INVESTMENT - KENNY

Posted on February 18, 2014 2:52 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Labour TD, Sean Kenny, has welcomed the news that €30m will be invested in upgrading the energy efficiency of local authority homes this year.

"The funding is part of a three year jobs stimulus programme that will see the energy efficiency of 25,000 of the poorest insulated local authority homes sorted out. An initial allocation of €15m for energy efficiency measures is being released now. This funding means that every local authority house will have at a minimum draught proofing, attic insulation and where appropriate cavity wall insulation. The majority of this work is expected to be complete in most local authority areas by mid-year."

"When Phase 1 is complete, a further €15m will be allocated for more intensive insulation measures that focus on the external or internal insulation of houses with solid or hollow block construction. In this second phase of works single-glazed windows or particularly poor performing windows and doors can be replaced."

"A very important element of the programme is that it is also supporting hundreds of jobs in the green energy sector, with many community-based organisations delivering the works and providing valuable training and experience to people who were unemployed. Local authorities are driving this programme on the ground and they deserve credit for making this initiative a great success."

"In 2013 more than 13,000 homes benefitted from this energy efficiency measure, which is an initiative of Labour in Government. When the programme was launched, the initial target was to insulate 5,000 homes. That target was exceeded in 2014 the plan is to maintain the momentum behind this beneficial programme, which is delivering warmer homes and lower energy bills to thousands of local authority tenants."