Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the use of energy efficient measures in local authority housing, such as using only double-glazed windows, as part of Ireland's efforts to meet commitments under Kyoto and in view of the fact that such improvements have been specified in the national climate change strategy and in further view of the fact that the strategy sees the local authorities as key to achieving the target reductions. [36654/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department actively promotes the conservation of fuel and energy through Part L of the national building regulations and the related technical guidance document L. Progressively higher thermal performance and insulation standards introduced under Part L since 1992 have significantly reduced the energy required, from all sources, to heat space and water in buildings. For example, it is estimated that the increased Part L standards for dwellings, which came into effect on 1 January 2003, will reduce domestic heating requirements by between 23% and 33%, depending on the type of building, and will, by 2012, reduce CO2 emissions from dwellings by 300,000 tonnes per annum. This delivers on a commitment made in the national climate change strategy, October 2000.

With regard to windows, Part L of the building regulations effectively requires double-glazed windows incorporating energy efficient low-e glass or equivalent in new houses including local authority houses. This requirement was extended with effect from 1 July 2003 to cover replacement windows in existing houses. In this regard my Department provides funding to local authorities under a variety of schemes which entail the use of energy saving measures. For example, funding is provided to local authorities under the remedial works scheme for refurbishment work to houses in their stock, which includes the installation of central heating, the upgrading of insulation, where necessary, and the replacement of windows and doors. My Department also provides separate funding to local authorities for the installation of central heating and related energy improvement measures in their housing stock.