Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that local authorities are often unable to provide funding to manage, maintain and improve their rented housing stock; his further views on the fact that these works are not covered by the remedial works scheme as they are not major refurbishment works; and the measures he will introduce to provide this necessary funding to local authorities. [42461/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to review and expand the remedial works scheme as it does not cover general repairs to rented houses that local authorities can not afford to carry out as they lack the required funds to do so. [42462/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 120 together.

Local authority housing construction and improvement works programmes, including planned maintenance, regeneration and remedial works are discussed with each local authority as part of the preparation and review of their Housing Action Plans. Arising out of this, authorities may seek Exchequer support for improvement works under a number of schemes. Some €133 million was assigned for improvement works undertaken by local authorities in 2006. Local authorities may also apply, on approval by the Department, Internal Capital Receipts from the sale of local authority houses to the undertaking of improvement works, which includes planned maintenance programmes.

Discussions will take place with housing authorities early in 2007 regarding their improvement works programmes for the period 2007 to 2009.