Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department will discontinue the practice of equipping new social housing units for heating except for the oil burner and the oil tank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28392/07]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to local authorities using alternative energy systems in local authority houses; if there are plans to do so; if he will bring in guidelines and instructions on the matter for local authorities in line with overall policy of 40% alternative energy for private houses before 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26144/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 506 and 518 together.

The design standards for social housing, including the provision of appropriate heating systems, are set out in my Department's recently published guidelines, Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities. My Department has been supportive of a number of initiatives taken by housing authorities in relation to the use of alternative energy systems. With regard to the recently published draft building regulations under Part L of the building code, in particular, my Department, on 5 October 2007, issued instructions to housing authorities that all new proposals for social housing developments submitted for approval from 1 December 2007 should have regard to the proposed changes to the building regulations.