Pictured at the recent Retrofit Ready launch in Sligo are (from left): Owen McConnon, community retrofit champion, Cavan County Local Development (CCLD); Terry Hyland, chief executive officer, Cavan County Local Development (CCLD), Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport and Brian McDermott, chairperson, Cavan County Local Development (CCLD).

Cavan is among the top counties for retrofitting

‘Retrofit Ready’ was officially launched by Eamon Ryan

Cavan ranks among the top counties for home retrofitting along with other border counties Monaghan, Sligo and Leitrim.

Earlier this month, ‘Retrofit Ready’ was officially launched by Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment at ATU in Sligo.

The Retrofit Ready Initiative is led by the Irish Local Development Network, and consists of four of our border Local Development Companies: Sligo LEADER Partnership, Leitrim Development Company, Cavan County Local Development and Monaghan Integrated Development. Technical expertise is supplied by Plan Energy and ATU Sligo. Pobal administer the funding on behalf of the Department of Environment.

The 'Retrofit Ready' programme has recruited two Retrofit Champions. Owen McConnon is based in Monaghan/Cavan while Kyle Flynn covers Sligo/Leitrim. They will offer support to groups and individuals who are exploring options available to them. Owen can be contacted on omcconnon@ccld.ie or 087 131 5964 with Kyle available on 087 168 6203 or kyle@ldco.ie

The types of grants available for home retrofitting are evolving all of the time and it can be difficult for homeowners to know how best to avail of these supports when making efforts to improve their home's environmental impact. In rural areas, it can also be difficult to engage with the right suppliers due to the distances involved.

In the coming weeks ahead there retrofit events and information evenings where the Retrofit Champions will discuss what retrofitting options are available to homeowners, the new grants which are coming available and will also connect the homeowners with the suppliers in their areas.

The Retrofit Champions will play a key role in removing the barriers to retrofitting for many individuals. They will develop supports, tools, know-how and approaches to empower local communities with the knowledge they need to effectively tackle climate action.