Waterford City and County Council is to  receive €5.4 million to support the retrofit of social homes.

The Minister of State at the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins  announced a total of €140 million for local authorities across the county  to support the retrofit of around 3,500 social homes. The money comes under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. and is an increase of €50 million on the amount allocated and drawn down by local authorities in 2025. Along with today’s funding, the Minister announced that the average grant available per property across a local authority’s annual retrofit programme will increase from €34,000 to €38,000. Minister Cummins  said "the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme has made a huge impact nationally and in Waterford both in terms of the quality of our housing stock and in addressing the challenges of climate change. Over 11,000 homes have been deep retrofitted since the scheme was first introduced and this increase in funding would see an additional 3,500 social homes retrofitted by the end of 2026. He also said as  we're in the middle of a housing crisis  he will do  everything in his  power to deliver the homes we need at scale  but  he added "we must also make sure that our existing housing stock is brought up to a very high standard. These homes will be safer, cleaner, and healthier for those living in them and better for our environment. Furthermore, the funding will be allocated in such a way that we can make sure the money is spent, the work is carried out, and the results are delivered."