Communities in Ireland are being urged to apply for funding for energy efficiency upgrades to homes, businesses and other buildings to be carried out this year.

€20 million in grant support has been made available under the Government's Better Energy Communities programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White T.D. said: "The Energy White Paper, which I published last month, places communities and energy efficiency firmly at the centre of our efforts to decarbonise the energy system. It also outlines the employment and business opportunities that our energy transition will create, along with the supports we must provide to help people to grasp those opportunities. The Better Energy Communities scheme is an initiative that brings these themes together - energy efficiency, community involvement, employment opportunities and decarbonisation. 260 community projects have already received funding under the programme, which has seen 12,000 homes, community buildings, charities, sports clubs and businesses - right across Ireland - benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. This effort has lowered our carbon emissions, supported jobs in the communities where the works were done, and helped to reduce energy poverty."

-- Advertisement --

SEAI Interim Chief Executive, William Walsh said: "This will be the fifth year of operation for the Better Energy Communities programme and with over 12,000 homes and buildings upgraded to date we are seeing fantastic results in terms of energy efficiency savings and improvements in the comfort of accommodation."

(CD/LM)