St Patricks Court Limerick housing scheme receives energy upgrade through retrofit project

St Patricks Court Limerick – Pictured are from left Stuart Hobbs, Alex Moran, Aisling Palmer (all SSE Airtricity),  John Randles, SEAI, Eddie Heffernan, SVP, Declan O’Brien, Chairman SVP,  Will O’Shaughnessy SSE, and Philip Power. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22    

St Patricks Court Limerick housing scheme receives energy upgrade through retrofit project 

SSE Airtricity Energy Services, in partnership with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has helped keep homes warm this winter with the completion of an energy project in Limerick city.

Residents in the St Vincent De Paul St Patricks Court Limerick housing scheme in Garryowen are set to enjoy a cosier Christmas this year as part of the retrofit project which costs almost €500,000 and will see energy consumption reduced by approximately 50%.

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The 13 properties benefitting from this project were built in the 1960s and had low energy ratings. The fabric consisted of solid concrete walls and single glazing. The majority of tenants have come from the nearby SVP emergency homeless hostel accommodation and these houses had no energy upgrades since they were built 60 years ago. Following the project’s completion, the homes received a BER uplift from G to A3, saving thousands of euro in annual energy costs and making the homes much warmer and healthier to live in.

Pictured from left are Alex Moran, SSE Airtricity, tenant Tony Meade, tenant Jim Storan, Eddie Heffernan, SVP, tenant Des Kelly, John Randles, SEAI, and Declan O’Brien SVP. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

The project, which was co-founded by SEAI and SVP and delivered by SSE Airtricity Energy Services, consisted of improving home heating, installing solar panels and external insulation which will diminish the likelihood of draughts, condensation and mould growth.

Part of the funding for the works has come from SEAI’s communities’ scheme with support from the Government of Ireland. The scheme supports new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities, bringing private, public and community organisations together. The aim is to deliver energy savings to homeowners, communities, and private sector organisations.

This year, the scheme has enabled SSE Airtricity to partner with local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and community groups to deliver thermal improvements to domestic and fuel poor homes around Ireland.

Paula Kenny, National Manager for Social Housing, Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, said, “The Society is delighted with the successful partnership working between the local volunteers of St Vincent De Paul, St Benedict Joseph Labre Conference, SSE Airtricity and SEAI. The project has raised the standard of our accommodation at St Patricks Court Limerick bringing increased comfort and cost savings to our tenants.

As an Approved Housing Body, the Society’s mission is to provide homes for people in our communities and this work will sustain our homes into the future and continue to provide much-needed accommodation within Limerick City. The project is viewed as a good practice model in terms of energy efficiency and the Society looks forward to continuing to work with SSE and SEAI in the roll-out of further energy works across our housing nationally,” she added.

Stuart Hobbs, Head of SSE Airtricity Energy Services, said, “We’re proud to partner with St. Vincent de Paul and the SEAI, and to help some of Limerick’s most vulnerable residents feel warmer and safer in their homes this winter. This project will reduce the resident’s energy costs while also helping cut carbon emissions from their homes.

At SSE Airtricity we know the value of helping Irish homes and businesses go green and how that can have a positive impact on Ireland’s 2030 climate goals,” Hobbs added.

John Randles, Head of Delivery in SEAI said, “This year, SEAI is supporting 57 projects under our communities’ scheme with over €25 million in government funding. We are delighted to see projects like the collaboration between SSE Airtricity, St. Vincent de Paul and St Patricks Court Limerick at completion.”

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