Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to ensure that the installation of the types of energy efficient technologies covered in schemes such as the new greener homes scheme for householders and the existing house of tomorrow scheme for developers will become standard practice when social and affordable homes are been planned and built. [16478/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Proposals from local authorities in relation to the construction of social and affordable housing that may involve the provision of additional energy efficiency measures, will be examined by my Department on their merits from the point of view of efficacy and value for money/cost benefit considerations. Social housing design guidelines outline a range of issues to be taken into account generally in terms of the sustainability of dwelling design. There are a number of social housing developments which have advanced the process further by using innovative energy efficiency and environmentally friendly technologies.

A new Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities which outlines key principles underpinning housing policy and investment over the coming years was launched last December. The framework proposes an integrated approach to housing in Ireland and firmly places housing policy in the context of building sustainable communities. The framework particularly highlights the commitment of the Government to continuing improvements in the quality of housing and neighbourhoods. A further policy statement will be published this year which will set out more detailed approaches to this issue.