As the cold weather sets in, households may face high energy bills this winter. Tuath are doing a series of messages on the current energy crisis and how tenants can save energy and money during this time.

Each week we will be updating this page to include useful advice and tips including Budgeting/ Financial Tips, Cost-of-living payments & welfare entitlements, Energy Customer Rights/ Entitlements. Keep an eye out on Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp groups , where we will be linking to this page regularly with the release of new info.

You can also find useful information in SEAI’s ‘Reduce your Use’ booklet here:

1. Energy Saving Tips in the home

Did you know there are ways you can reduce your energy and fuel consumption in your home? Check out the following energy saving tips:

2. Cost of Living Payments & Welfare Entitlements

Did you know that in the 2023 Budget there are payments to help those households who may be on a lower income. Have a look at our Budget 2023 Cost of Living Payments guide to find what you might be entitled to and when you should receive it

You also might be entitled to social welfare payments and income that you are not already claiming.

3. Information on Electricity Supplier

Make sure you know your rights and entitlements this winter when it comes to your electricity supply and rates. Contact Electric Ireland on 1800 372 372. You can also find more information on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities website on how to deal with your utility supplier or network operator: https://www.cru.ie/home/customer-care/

From the 25th to the 27th October, Tuath were delighted to present the  Tuath Housing Awards 2022 for Best Kept Estate in four events that took place on each of the winner estates across Ireland. There was one award for every Region in which Tuath Housing regional offices are based – Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Louth. This year’ Best Kept Estates Awards went to: 

Dublin Regional Office – Overall Winner: Clonattin Lodge, Gorey, Co. Wexford 

Cork Regional Office – Overall Winner: An Radharc (Upper and Lower), Douglas, Co. Cork 

Galway Region – Overall Winner: Leargán, Knocknacarra, Co Galway. 

Louth Region – Overall Winner: Cois Cuain, Upper Point Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth. 

Entries for the Best Kept Estate Award were submitted by Housing Officers at Tuath and a selection for final judgment was made by the Housing Management Team. The overall winners were chosen based on the following criteria: 

1. Effort Involved 

1. Absence of Litter 

1. Planting of trees, shrubs, flowers in communal areas and gardens 

1. Condition of houses in the Scheme 

1. Absence of unsightly objects 

1. Special Factors 

Each winning estate received a plaque for display in the estate with a €500 euro voucher for Jones Garden Centre, Donabate.  

Tuath launched the Best Kept Estate competition in September 2022 for all housing estates on which Tuath residents live. The awards recognise the outstanding contribution of communities who come together to dedicate their time, energy, and resources to improve estates and foster community spirit. 

The staff at Tuath Housing would like to extend hearty congratulations to the 2022 winners of Tuath Housing’s inaugural competition for the Best Kept Estate Awards for their exceptional contribution to the communities in which they live.  

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes. Tuath is delighted to announce that almost nine out of ten residents are satisfied with the overall services provided by Tuath Housing (89%).

Carrying out this survey is just part of the work Tuath Housing does to involve residents in developing services. As well as publishing the results of the survey, Tuath Housing plans to put the findings to good use by working with residents to further improve the services provided to them.

Please click on the image below to view the Tuath Housing Resident Satisfaction Survey Q3 2022

On Thursday 14th July, seven summer events took place nationwide to release the new Tuath Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022 – 2025 called ‘Your Voice, Your Home, Your Community’. The events were held in six counties: Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Cork City, with activities for residents ranging from face painting, soccer and art to digital skills classes and music. 

As the strategy details the seven pillars supporting the plan for how Tuath will involve residents in the delivery, and continuous improvement of services in the next four years, every event was centred around one of those pillars — Involve, Enable, Communicate, Build, Integrate, Embed and Empower. 

The official launch of the Tenant Engagement Strategy was held in Bishop’s Avenue, Co. Cork, with a special guest, former veteran RTE GAA analyst and Cork hurling legend Tomás Mulcahy. Residents enjoyed sports with Cork Women’s Football Club, face painting, ice cream, music and much more! With the EMBED pillar, Tuath will embed a culture of tenant engagement to involve residents in the housing services’ planning, delivery, decision-making and review processes.

INVOLVE stands for Tuath residents being aware of and understanding tenant engagement from the beginning of their tenancy so they know how they can get involved. We held a launch in Woodside, Enniskerry, Co. Dublin to celebrate this first pillar. Residents enjoyed ice cream, and a mobile pet farm visited the estate.

The ENABLE pillar means that all tenants will have a chance to influence how Tuath Housing provides services and makes decisions to provide increased housing services, standards and living conditions. Residents of Knightsbridge Retirement Village enjoyed afternoon tea. They took part in a Hi Digital presentation with ALONE to celebrate the launch and the pillar Enable.

A fun-filled community day was held in The Orchard, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, to celebrate the COMMUNICATE pillar. A bike safety workshop, face painting, ice cream and fun games were organised for children. Tuath will ensure effective, timely and relevant communications between residents and Tuath as their housing services provider.  

Residents in fFrench Mullen, Dublin, came together to celebrate Build with a Lego workshop, the creation of a colourful wall mural and a graffiti artist workshop. Children came together and created art for the scheme while enjoying pizza and ice cream as the sun shone! For Tuath, BUILD stands for ensuring safe physical surroundings to make sure that residents feel connected to their communities and local support. 

Over 80 local children and their parents participated in a football blitz in Oriel Park stadium, Dundalk, Co. Louth, to celebrate the  pillar. There were also three-legged races, egg and spoon races, dodge ball and penalty shootouts. The day’s highlight for Dundalk FC supporters, young and old, was a meet and greet with members of the squad and management team. With the INTEGRATE pillar, Tuath will support  the development of cohesive, integrated communities by ensuring that  staff have the knowledge and skills to help sustain vibrant, multicultural communities.  

Residents enjoyed an afternoon of connecting over tea and refreshments and looking at recent artwork created by residents. With the EMPOWER pillar,  Tuath will provide residents with relevant support, training, and development opportunities to develop the confidence and skills they need to get involved. 

We would like to thank  everyone who supported and attended all of the events for the launch of the Tuath Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022 – 2025.

You can view the full engagement strategy here  https://tuathhousing.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tuath-Tenant-Engagement-Strategy-22-25.pdf

New Communal Space Promoting History and Biodiversity in the Area

A recently renovated communal space in Passage West, Cork was officially opened where a new plaque was unveiled detailing the history of the area.  The event was attended by members and families of Riverview Residents’ Association, Tuath Housing staff, Tuath Voluntary Board Member Angela Murphy and local Cork County Councilor Marcia D’Alton

There is a lot of history on Beach road in Riverview which is located on the historic Blackrock to Passage Railway line (1850 – 1932). The new communal space, previously a wasteland area, now features a newly erected signage explains the history of the railway near the tunnel and the surrounding area. Funding for the signage was secured through a grant from the Cork Heritage Council, while the renovation of the communal space was funded through Tuath Housing’s tenant engagement programme.

Riverview Residents’ Group was set up in 2019 through Tuath’s tenant engagement initiative. The group, with the support of Tuath Housing, organise many community events such as clean up days, Arts and Crafts, European Neighbours’ Day, Tuath’s National Planting Month, seasonal events for Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas. The new communal area will be planted with bee and butterfly friendly plants to promote environmental awareness and biodiversity.

Beach Road has undergone much transformation since the Resident’s Group has been active in the area. Due to COVID restrictions, with residents having more time at home, the opportunity arose to give this street a much-needed revamp. Projects were organized by two specific residents, starting with planting colourful flower box displays. Most impressively, a mural of the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway (1850 – 1932) was generously painted by a local artist on the blocked-up entrance to the train tunnel. In addition to tackling the neglected overgrowths, three anti speed ramps were put in place, made possible through part funding and house to house fundraising collections organised by residents.

Congratulations to all the residents of Beach road that worked to make this garden and their community a beautiful space. Special thank you to the Riverview Residents’ Group, Councillor Marcia D’Alton, Cork Heritage Council, Cork County council and Passage Tidy Towns for their involvement in the incredible transformation of the community

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 2 have just been published, detailing resident’s experiences with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes. Tuath is delighted to announce that almost nine out of ten residents are satisfied with the overall services provided by Tuath Housing (89%).

Carrying out this survey is just part of the work Tuath Housing does to involve residents in developing services. As well as publishing the results of the survey, Tuath Housing plans to put the findings to good use by working with residents to further improve the services provided to them.

Please click on the image below to view the Tuath Housing Resident Satisfaction Survey Q2 2022

A new online “Pre-Move in” animated information video has been developed by Tuath housing staff and residents to complement the Tuath tenancy handbook and pre-move in process. The information video was created in consultation with Tuath residents from the Tuath National Tenant Forum. The forum was set up in 2018 through Tuath’s tenant engagement initiative and represents a diverse group of residents which include new residents and residents who have lived in their Tuath home for many years.

At the end of November 2021 residents were invited to meet online to discuss housing initiatives and neighbourhood specific issues as well as give feedback on existing services or ideas for improvements. Following feedback from the forum the pre-move in video was created and highlights some of the most important aspects of the tenancy handbook and outlines tips for residents on topics such as keys, utilities, rent, insurance, repairs, tenant engagement, fire safety and much more. Tuath resident Stella from Cork who attended the forum said “Moving into a new home can be a busy and stressful time. There can be a real sense of information overload at times, but this video does a great job of breaking everything down in a clear manner. I feel it will really help people plan and prepare for moving into their new Tuath home.”

The pre-move in video provides information and support for all residents based on their needs and meets the new regulatory standards from the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA). The video is easy to understand, can be subtitled and translated into any language. The new resource will form part of the pre tenancy process, Tuath residents will take a short questionnaire after watching the video. The video will be available through the Tuath housing website www.tuathhousing.ie .

Head of Housing Fiachra McKiernan said “Since the introduction of tenant engagement in 2018, we have taken great steps in developing a service that involves and consults residents in a range of different ways. We believe that by listening to, working in partnership with, and providing good information for our residents, we can give excellent tenancy services. The partnership with Tuath residents and staff in the creation of the pre move in video is just one of the many ways in which we are listening to our residents’ voice”

The Pre- Move in video is just one example of how Tuath and residents are working together towards providing best practice in tenant engagement. Following the recent launch of a research paper commissioned by the board of Tuath Housing called “Embedding a Culture of Tenant Engagement: Recommendations for Social Housing in the Irish Context”. One of the recommendations from the research paper was for residents who choose to engage, it is vital that opportunities are provided so that residents are really in a position to influence the decision-making process in a meaningful way.

Margaret Hanrahan, Tenant Engagement Officer said. “We know that for tenant engagement to be successful, we need to design and deliver services and information in collaboration with residents. The process of residents and staff working together has been a rewarding one and has resulted in an information resource that will be of real benefit and positive impact for residents moving into their Tuath forever home.”

Tuath Housing will soon launch its Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022-2025 which will set out the important role that Tuath residents will have to become an integral part of the association, influencing how services are provided and how decisions are made.

Click on the image below to view the new Pre-Move in Training video on YouTube

DC 04/03/2020
Tuath Housing

Results from a survey carried out during Quarter 1 have just been published, detailing how happy tenants are with the way Tuath delivers key services and maintains their homes.

The anonymous survey, carried out by Independent Market Research Company Acuity, provides key results figures in respect of residents’ onions about their homes and the services received.

Carrying out this survey is just part of the work Tuath Housing does to involve you in tenants in developing services. As well as publishing the results of the survey, Tuath Housing plans to put the findings to good use by working with residents to further improve the services provided to them

Please click on the image below to view the Tuath Housing Resident Satisfaction Survey Q1 2022