“Safer, cleaner, and healthier”, announces Minister as Mayo receives €934,000 for social housing retrofits

Mayo County Council has been allocated €934,000 under a national programme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of social housing.

The funding was announced by James Browne as part of a €140 million allocation to local authorities through the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP). The scheme is designed to support the retrofit of around 3,500 social homes across the country.

The national funding represents an increase of €50 million compared to the amount allocated and drawn down by local authorities in 2025.

The programme forms part of a wider €260 million in Exchequer funding available through the Department of Housing’s range of local authority home improvement supports.

Alongside the funding announcement, the minister confirmed that the average grant available per property under local authority retrofit programmes will increase from €34,000 to €38,000.

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Announcing the funding, Minister Browne said the programme has already had a significant impact both nationally and in Mayo.

“The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme has made a huge impact nationally and in Mayo both in terms of the quality of our housing stock and in addressing the challenges of climate change,” he said.

“Over 11,000 homes have been deep retrofitted since the scheme was first introduced and this increase in funding would see an additional 3,500 social homes retrofitted by the end of 2026.”

He added that while the Government is focused on increasing housing supply, improving existing homes remains an important priority.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis and, as minister, I will do everything in my power to deliver the homes we need at scale, but we must also make sure that our existing housing stock is brought up to a very high standard,” said Minister Browne.

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“These homes will be safer, cleaner and healthier for those living in them and better for our environment. Furthermore, the funding will be allocated in such a way that we can make sure the money is spent, the work is carried out and the results are delivered.”

The retrofitting works typically include insulation upgrades, improved heating systems and other energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing energy costs and improving living conditions for tenants.