South Dublin Homeowner Clive Ryan Avoids Prison after Home Retrofitting Controversy

Last month Clive Ryan made headlines for facing imprisonment and a large fine after retrofitting his home under a Government grant.

Following that news story, I contacted Clive to understand his situation and help him with his planning permission application.

Clive Ryan’s planning permission has now been granted, bringing months of worry to an end for the Ryan family.

While this decision is welcome, it’s ludicrous that Clive Ryan, looking to improve the heating efficiency of his home, had to apply for planning permission in the first place.

Retrofitting saves homeowners significantly on the cost of heating, that’s why:

I am calling for

1. An exemption on planning permission to retrofit homes

2. Specific grants to encourage neighbours to retrofit together

We need to make it as easy as possible for people to retrofit their homes.

In 2022, the Green Party in government introduced planning exemptions for solar panels. Today I'm calling on Government to introduce a similar exemption to retrofit your home. It’s hard enough for people to take time out of their busy lives to begin the process of a home retrofit. Government, including local councils, should be making it as easy as possible.

As well as the planning exemption, I am advocating for specific grants tailored for neighbours to retrofit together. This, coupled with better grant funding, will speed up retrofitting right across the country, especially for people most affected by fluctuating fossil fuel prices. This will help us to:

• accomplish the elimination of fuel poverty

• create more comfortable and cheaper-to-run homes

• achieve a reduction of harmful climate related emissions.

It’s win-win.

If Government use the existing solar panels planning exemption as guide, all retrofit planning exemptions would be subject to certain conditions and limitations, for example in the case of protected structures and

Architectural Conservation Areas & Properties on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Cases where the work might upset the aesthetic of an estate would also be taken into consideration.

For homes, the work would need to be carried out by SEAI approved contractors and meet strict criteria to ensure works are carried out to high standards that don’t materially affect other properties.

Mark Lynch discussing the granting of planning retention with Clive and Samantha Ryan