Louth retrofitting scheme facing challenges in 2024

2024 will be a challenging year in terms of energy retrofitting for Louth County Council, members of Dundalk Municipal District were informed at the March meeting, due to a potential decrease in government funding this year.

Cllr Kevin Meenan and Cllr Seán Kelly both raised the matter at the March meeting, seeking an update on the Council's plans for this year. Cllr Kelly said that in some estates in Dundalk-Carlingford, people were raising the same issues with regards heat loss and draught proofing in relation to windows and doors.

Senior Executive Officer, Mr John Lawrence, told the members in response that 2024 could be challenge for Louth County Council. He said that they retrofitted 207 units in the county last year, even though at the outset, Louth's allocation for energy retrofitting last year was only 105 units.

Mr Lawrence said that they have been advised to make plans for 65% of last year's official allocation, which would equate to 65-67 units in the entire county. He added that they have plans for close to 240 units but that they would only be able to issue contracts for first 67 units.

He went on to day that in previous years they were able to take the shortfall from other counties, because the council had organised its scheme very quickly and had a structure in place. He added that Louth County Council was one of the better placed councils countrywide in terms of retrofitting, but now other counties were catching up.