Scott - need for retrofitting funding for social housing

Green Party Councillor Lourda Scott calls for urgent clarity on retrofitting funding for Wicklow social housing

Greystones Cathaoirleach Cllr Lourda Scott has expressed concerns at the lack of a dedicated capital investment plan for social housing retrofitting in the newly published National Development Plan (NDP) Review 2025. This is despite growing pressure to address long-standing issues in local authority housing estates across Wicklow.

Councillor Scott said:“Just last week Hillview estate in Wicklow Town was in the media spotlight due to serious concerns raised by residents about the condition of their homes. In my own area, I have been constantly raising serious issues about Farankelly estate over the past number of years. These estates urgently require retrofitting, insulation, and repairs to meet even the most basic standards of comfort, not to mention energy efficiency. We recently welcomed a survey assessing repairs needed in Farankelly, and a report on Hillview has already been sent to the Department. We know that significant funding will need to be made available for the Council to follow through."

The updated NDP sets out over €28 billion in housing capital investment between 2026 and 2030, but fails to ring fence any portion of this funding for retrofitting existing social housing. While the document acknowledges Ireland’s target of retrofitting 444,000 homes by 2030, it does not commit to specific funding or timelines for delivery, nor does it identify how local authorities will be supported to scale up their retrofit programmes.

Councillor Scott continued:

“It is extremely disappointing that the Government has not outlined how the national retrofit target will be achieved for public housing, nor how councils will be resourced to carry out the work. This is particularly concerning when Wicklow residents are already facing the consequences of underinvestment in housing maintenance and energy efficiency. This is not just about lowering emissions, but about making homes safe to live in. I’ve seen with my own eyes black mould on ceilings, rivers of water flowing in through windows and doors, attic insulation dripping with wet. This is unacceptable anywhere and shouldn’t be accepted for social housing tenants. This is an equality issue as much as a housing issue and must be addressed with the urgency it deserves.

I’m calling on the Minister for Housing to urgently clarify how retrofitting for local authority housing will be funded between now and 2030 when whole estates are waiting for essential upgrades, with specific reference to Co Wicklow. ”