Over €1 million allocated to make Kerry more energy efficient – Griffin

Fine Gael TD for Kerry, Brendan Griffin has, today (Tuesday), welcomed the allocation of over €1 million from the Better Energy Communities Programme to implement energy efficiency measures.

“The Better Energy Communities Programme is funding awarded by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) to retrofit Ireland’s building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency. This reduces the use of fossil fuels, running costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

“€1,114,492 has been awarded to a variety of projects, all of which will improve energy efficiency across the county. Over €800,000 will be spent on installing energy efficient measures in churches, community and private facilities. Some buildings set to benefit include St John’s Church, St John’s Pastoral Centre, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tralee, St Brendan’s Church, Curraheen, Reidys Terrace, Gleann Breac, public toilets, the Aquadome, the Grand Hotel and St Brigid’s Centre. Also included in this funding is the extension of the district heating system to connect the hospital.

“In Tralee, in excess of €200,000 has been spent retrofitting 153 local authority housing, all of which were energy poor . Measures include full cavity fill insulation with attendant ventilation, pipe insulation and walk boards; window and door replacement with particular attention to infiltration and external wall insulation.

“Also included in the funding is €47,144 for the extension of the Tralee Heat Scheme and the upgrade of pumping systems in the county. Tralee Fire Station, Machinery Yard, Listowel Community Centre, Tralee Waste Water Treatment, Castlemain Waste Water Tank, Castlemaine Ejector House, Knockawaddra Pump House and Sneem Waste Water Treatment Plant will all be upgraded.

“It is very important that we create a society based on sustainable energy structures and I am pleased that this money is being used to bring local amenities and facilities up to standard.

“This money has been spent on buildings and systems used by the people of Kerry every day. I am especially pleased that local authority housing has been upgraded and brought up to standard. The Government is working to address the very important issue of housing shortages but I am also very pleased that resources are being directed towards upgrading local authority housing for those already living in these homes.

This funding has been used to make homes warmer and cheaper to run, and to make facilities used and funded by the general public more efficient.”