COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 13, 2021

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To ask the Chief Executive what plans there are to repair/replace windows, doors and boilers to combat mould and damp as well as to retrofit existing older persons accommodation to make them warmer and more energy efficient.

REPLY:

The introduction of national Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) along with the Council's planned maintenance programme prompted the creation of a dedicated new workstream within the housing maintenance division to align these programmes.  The new workstream is supported by additional recruitment as well as an apprenticeship programme in 2022 and is funded through the previously approved €10m capital budget that was established by the Council as well annual EERP funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

Works under the programmes were severely curtailed by Covid-related restrictions along with associated and other labour and materials challenges but at the end of November 2021, 77 homes in Greenfort, Kilmahuddrick, Liscarne and Cushlawn have been provided with EERP upgrades generally comprising full external window/door replacement and installation of heat pumps, with works being assigned to contractors to commence this month for 41 further homes in Sarsfield, Allenton, Willbrook & Castletymon.  In addition, priority window/door replacements have been completed for selected medical and other urgent cases while 180 homes have received either a replacement boiler/full heating system upgrade to high efficiency condenser boilers to date in 2021.

Subject to DHLGH approval, our proposed 2022 EERP work programme will comprise some 300 homes in Cushlawn, Castletymon, St. Aongus, Kilmahuddrick, Old Castle Drive, Arthur Griffith, St. Finian’s, Greenfort, Shancastle, Limekiln, Allenton and Whitechurch.  In addition, we expect to provide full window/door replacement in a further 200+ homes , replace/upgrade a similar number of existing heating systems and carry out a significant number of stock condition & energy surveys as well as managing the procurement processes to plan for future works programmes.