"Houses are warmer and healthier" - Louth Council welcome €8.8m for retrofits

Louth County Council has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing James Browne of €8.8 million in funding for Louth under the 2026 Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP).

The announcement saw Louth receive  the fourth-highest allocation in the country.

Louth County Council have said the investment will support the energy upgrade of 220 social homes in Louth in 2026.

However, that is short of its original target of 300 and previously told councillors it is hopeful of reaching 200. 

With this latest allocation, a total of 935 social homes in the county will have been upgraded to a B2 energy rating or better by the end of this year. This represents a cumulative investment of €32.2 million in improving Louth’s social housing stock.

The programme delivers warmer, healthier and more energy‑efficient homes for tenants through a range of significant upgrade works, including external wall insulation, the installation of heat pump systems, window and door replacement, attic insulation, and ventilation improvements.

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Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Seán Kelly, said:

"This funding means that hundreds more families will benefit from homes that are warmer, healthier and more comfortable to live in. For households across the county, these upgrades will make a real difference. They lower energy bills, improve air quality, and make homes warmer and more comfortable."

"At a time when the cost of living continues to challenge many people, ensuring that our social housing tenants can live in homes that are affordable to heat is crucial. I want to thank the Minister and the Department for their continued support of this vital programme, which is delivering tangible benefits to communities across Louth."

Under the scheme, priority will be given to older persons’ dwellings, homes adapted for persons with disabilities, properties that have not previously benefited from “shallow” retrofit works, and homes with boilers or windows approaching the end of their lifespan. Assessments are already underway to identify which homes will be retrofitted in 2026.

Director of Services, Housing and Cultural Delivery, Louth County Council, Ger Murphy, added:

"Upgrading our existing housing stock is one of the most important things we can do to ensure long‑term sustainability, comfort and energy efficiency for our tenants.

The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme has become a cornerstone of our approach to housing asset management. Retrofitting not only extends the lifespan of homes, it also significantly improves their performance, reduces carbon emissions and supports our commitments as a public body under national energy and climate action plans."

"This continued investment allows us to modernise homes at scale while contributing meaningfully to Ireland’s climate and energy targets," he said.

Louth County Council completed 140 retrofits in 2025, a drop from 205 in 2023 and 150 in 2024. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.