Uptake Of Government's Retrofitting Scheme In Kildare Is Low

Tuesday, 25 October 2022 10:41

By Caoimhe Harney

Nationwide just 89 retrofit applications have been completed

Just 11 homes in County Kildare have been completed under the country's retrofit scheme

Nationwide just 89 applications have been completed.

In Leinster, the take up of the scheme has been very poor particularly in the commuter belt outside Dublin, County Meath had just nine applications, and Wicklow had eight.

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan and his officials set a target of 500,000 home upgrades to a BER rating of B2 at least by 2030, or 62,500 a year, but so far only 681 homes have been approved.

The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has concluded and paid for energy upgrade works on just 89 homes.

In terms of the approvals, County Leitrim failed to record a single application, the figures released by Minister Eamon Ryan’s department reveal.

Following Government approval, the SEAI registration portal opened for companies to apply to be a One-Stop-Shop (OSS).

SEAI-registered One-Stop-Shops provide an end-to-end service for homeowners who wish to retrofit their homes.

This includes surveying, designing the upgrades,managing the grant process, helping with access to finance, engaging contractors, and quality assurance.

The scheme has been critcised by Sinn Féin, who say it's only the wealthy who have access to money, who are able to avail of these grants.

On Wednesday morning's 'Kildare Today' Sinn Féin TD for Meath East Party Spokesperson on Climate Action, Communications Networks & Transport, Darren O'Rourke, discussed the issue:

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