Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Other Questions

Local Authority Housing

5:00 pm

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will consider reviewing the policy whereby vacant local authority houses are being prioritised for insulation while those that are occupied in some cases, are inadequately insulated. [12928/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In line with overall national policy which promotes a reduction in energy use, the enhancement of energy efficiency standards remains a priority within my Department's overall strategy for the improvement of local authority housing. Under the Department's Social Housing Investment Programme, local authorities are allocated capital funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. The programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building and the installation of high-efficiency condensing boilers.

Given the constraints on new local authority housing supply, it is important that the existing stock of local authority housing is available and in fit condition to meet housing need. Houses requiring significant pre-letting improvement works can quickly deteriorate if left vacant for an extended period.

Under this year's improvement works programme, the focus will continue on returning vacant properties to productive use. Local authorities may also undertake works, out of the allocations provided, to improve the energy efficiency of occupied units, where the local authority considers this appropriate. In drawing up improvement works programmes which include the upgrading of tenanted properties, I envisage that local authorities would give priority to older houses which lack adequate wall and roof insulation.

In respect of occupied units my Department provides a grant of up to €15,000 per house, depending on the energy improvement achieved, for necessary works such as attic and wall insulation, the replacement of windows and external doors and the fitting of energy efficient condensing boilers.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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May I ask one question? I welcome the Minister's reply. My question is on older houses. In regard to O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, the local authority was told by officials in the Department not to proceed with the retrofitting measure because they could not get it up to the B standard. They were advised to leave them as they occupied houses. What is happening is that the local authority is spending the money on houses built only ten or 12 years ago which have insulation but would not-----

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I thank the Deputy.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister to revisit that issue. This is genuine question.

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I understand that.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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The houses that really need it are not getting it.

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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If Deputy Stanley wants to make a case in writing on the issues he has outlined I would be glad to have them considered.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister.