Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell has welcomed the announcement of €250,693 in funding for energy efficiency projects off Kettles Lane, Feltrim and Rivervalley, Swords.
“Fingal is to benefit from €250,693 in energy efficiency funding in 2015. The Better Energy Communities scheme is designed to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, businesses, sports clubs and homes.
“SSE Airtricity are partnering with Fingal County Council to provide substantial energy upgrades to 108 apartments and duplex homes off Kettles Lane, Feltrim. This project will provide deep energy efficiency retrofit upgrades to these properties. Such upgrades will include, heating upgrades, and cavity and loft insulation. Furthermore, this funding will also provide for delivery of a major energy efficient lighting upgrade to Rivervalley Community Centre.
“The allocation of this funding is important in terms of promoting energy conservation and I am pleased to see that this is an issue which the Government is taking seriously. To date the Better Energy Communities Scheme has awarded over €62 million to community energy efficiency initiatives. Our public buildings should be leading the way on energy efficiency, but it is also up to all of us in society to conserve energy and mitigate against the effects of climate change.
“This announcement on funding for community energy efficiency projects coincides with the Government appointing Ireland’s First Advisory Council on Climate Change. The group, to be chaired by Professor John FitzGerald of the ESRI, will comprise of eleven members to advise Government Departments and agencies on the actions required to significantly decarbonise the Irish economy by 2050. The Government has also launched a public consultation on the development of Ireland’s first National Low Carbon Transition and Mitigation Plan. The consultation period will run until Friday 31st July 2015 and I would urge all interest parties in the North County to engage with the consultation process by sending their submissions to: NationalMitigationPlan@environ.ie