Some Laois council tenants refusing retrofits as no boilers or stoves allowed

Some Laois council tenants are refusing a free cosy energy retrofit of their houses.

Housing official Trevor Hennessy confirmed the fact this October at the Laois County Council meeting, also confirming that they are not allowed to leave boilers or fireplaces when retrofitting council homes.

"Retrofit grants don't cover solid fuel. If we retrofit we can't leave solid fuel heating, we won't get funding. If we pick an estate to do, we do all the houses but some have said no to retrofitting," he said.

The retrofits mean swapping solid fuel and oil heaters for eco friendly electrical air to water heatpumps, as well as adding insulation so that the rental properties stay warm.

Cllr Ben Brennan says solid fuel heating and chimneys should still be allowed, disputing their impact on climate change.

"Housing aids for older people, they are told that you can't put in a boiler or burner, you have to use air to water, the older houses is not equipped. There's no way air to water can work. You see what happened when we had a storm, people were left without heating for five, six, seven weeks. I still think that solid fuel should be allowed.

"You're talking about climate targets, we're only a dot in the fecking ocean. For god's sake, we're worrying about those things and look at what wars are going on?.

"A year ago we had no power at Christmas but we were able to light the solid fuel fire and have heat in our house. That's what we need. 

"Older people need fair play if they're told they won't get a grant unless they put in gas or air to water," he said.

Cllr Brennan had also asked the housing staff if every house was retrofitted in chosen estates, as he said a resident had told him that their house was not done. 

Laois County Council have retrofitted nearly 300 of their rental houses, and spent over €11 million. However is just over a fifth of the houses in their stock, and 78% of Laois council homes are still awaiting the energy upgrade. 

Mr Hennessy said that they get €36,000 per property from the state, to get them up to a BER rating of B2.

Work is underway on another 61 homes. They are in St Brigid’s Place (Phase 1) – 18 units with work completed on 10 units.

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In Meadowbrook 17 homes will be completed by the end of 2025. In Imleach, The Swan16 units will be complete by the end of 2025 also. in Triogue Court 4 units will be also complete by the end of this year. There are six units in other locations with work on-going Works also started this autumn on 6 units in Erkindale Drive, Durrow.

There are 50 more houses approved for money to be retrofitted so far in 2026. They are in St Brigid’s Place (Part 2), Arderin, Fr. O’Connor Crescent, Erkindale Drive (started this autumn), Rossmore View and "various locations".