Tullamore retrofit work goes to tender for second time
A project to retrofit some 42 local authority properties in Tullamore is being retendered some nine months after it was first advertised.
The work is part of the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme 2021 and the properties involve include twelve on Clontarf Road, ten on Marian Place, eight in Arden View, six in Thornsberry Estate and six in Kilbride Park.
It's the third and fourth lots of the retrofit project in Offaly.
The work involves the provision of external wall insulation, the replacement of external windows and doors and attic insulation.
Offaly County Council in November 2021 invited tenders for similar work on the same properties.,
Work on the Lots 1 & 2 of the retrofit project have been ongoing on 34 local authority homes in Birr, whilst earlier this month, the council sought tenders from contractors to carry out the works on Lots 5 & 6.
The delay in starting work on Lots 3 & 4 was raised at a recent monthly meeting by Cllr Sean O'Brien who was told that funding approval for the works had yet to be given by the relevant department.
It prompted Cllr O'Brien to ask: “What is the issue?”
He said the council was discussing retrofitting as part of a Just Transition for the last two years.
“Last November, these houses in the Tullamore area were announced. Not one has been retrofitted. Here we are in June and there is no approval of funding from the department.
“If the Government is serious about Just Transition, why can't they approve the funding?” he asked.
Now, it has emerged that the project is being readvertised. The closing date for tenders is August 30, with a decision due by September 9.
The council said the it would be a condition for the award of the contract that the successful tenderer would be on site commencing works two weeks after appointment.
The work is expected to last for 28 weeks and the residents of each house will remain in situ during the work.
The council said all of the 42 properties are in its ownership
Meanwhile, tenders have also recently been sought for Lots 5 & 6, which involves 41 homes in Daingean, Edenderry, Portarlington, Shannonbridge, Cloghan, Ferbane and Clara.