Over 40 Tullamore homes to get energy retrofit

Some 42 local authority properties in Tullamore will be retrofitted as part of a Midlands energy efficiency initiative.

The properties include twelve on Clontarf Road, ten on Marian Place, eight in Arden View, six in Thornsberry Estate and six in Kilbride Park.

The work involves the provision of external wall insulation, the replacement of external windows and doors, attic insulation, and the insallation of electric heatpump water and space heating systems.

Offaly County Council recently invited tenders for the work, which involve an 18-week programme. The work is being funded through the Government's Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme 2021. Earlier, this year an initial allocation of €35m was provided for the retrofitting of 1,293 homes nationally. Of this, €476,477 was provided to Offaly County Council for the retrofitting of 18 homes. An additional €10m will then be allocated to local authorities who demonstrate an ability to complete additional work and spend their full allocation in 2021

Furthermore, in September 2020, the Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien announced that €20 million from the carbon tax was being set aside for a 'Midlands Retrofit Project' designed to help provide an economic stimulus to counties affected by the closure of the ESB's peat-fired power plants.

That September announcement stated that Offaly was among a number of Midland counties to each receive €3.33 million for retrofitting, in a one-off regional focus.

The council said all of the 42 properties are in its ownership and each property is leased to a resident tenant. It added that some are occupied by one resident, while others have a number of residents.