'A disaster': Sinn Féin attacks Government over slow rollout of retrofit scheme

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the scheme was grinding to a halt because of bureaucratic delays and the large sums needed by homeowners to take part

The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme promised grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard and grants of up to 80% of the typical cost for attic and cavity wall insulation. Picture: iStock

A war of words has erupted between the Government and the opposition over the slow rollout of the national scheme to retrofit homes.

Speaking after the Irish Examiner revealed that just 89 homes have had works completed in the national retrofitting scheme, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald described the lack of progress as a “disaster”.