O’Flynn asks for ‘timeframe’ on retrofitting of social housing

Cllr Frank O’Flynn has asked that Cork County Council provide a list of what council owned houses have been retrofitted to date and how many more are to be done.

In a motion presented to Cork County Council at the Northern Committee meeting on Tuesday, Cllr O’Flynn asked that Cork County Council would outline its planned maintenance retrofitting programme for council-owned houses and the timeframe of same.

The Glanworth councillor said he ‘wasn’t very happy’ with the reply from the council which read: ‘ We are currently awaiting notification from the Department regarding year two of its 10 year Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme, 2021 being the first year of the programme. As yet we have not been advised of our allocation of funding or the number of properties that will be funded in 2022. This programme includes retrofitting of Voids and tenanted properties where 129 units were completed last year countywide. In North Cork for 2022, depending on funding, it is hoped to complete 65 properties in this year’s retrofit programme. Once requested we will submit our programme.’

TIME ‘RUNNING OUT’

Cllr O’Flynn requested a more definite timeframe as he feels that ‘time is running out’ due to the recent inflation and fuel crisis.

“It is important that the people out there would know exactly what is being done,” he said.

He also asked for clarity on what heating systems are being used by Cork County Council in housing going forward.

Maurice Manning, Director of Services for Cork County Council, said that he will look at the numbers requested by Cllr O’Flynn and will let the members of the committee know what those are. He also confirmed that ‘air to water’ is the system being used.