Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to provide sustainable financial support to improve the energy efficiency of existing public housing. [17932/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has carried out an audit of the number of local authority houses that do not have central heating; the estimated excess carbon tonnage produced as a result; his plans to provide central heating to all of these homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17393/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 575: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimate of the cost of installing central heating in all local authority homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17394/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 552, 574 and 575 together.

Since 1994, my Department has required that central heating be provided in all new local authority dwellings and the associated costs are included in the overall cost of construction projects.

Under a specific programme introduced in 2004, my Department provides funding to local authorities towards the cost of installing central heating, and associated improvements in thermal insulation, in existing local authority housing. In the 2004 to 2007 period, funding of €94 million has been provided, resulting in some 19,600 local authority homes, or two thirds of the total number estimated to be in need of central heating, benefiting from this programme. An additional €26 million has been allocated to local authorities under the programme this year, which it is expected will result in works being carried out on more than 4,000 further homes.

The programme includes not just central heating installation but also makes provision for measures to improve the energy efficiency of the dwellings, including attic insulation to Building Regulations standards, draught-proofing to existing windows and external doors, and the lagging of exposed pipe-work and hot water cylinders. The type of heating system and associated improvements outlined above are a matter for determination by the relevant local authority, having regard to factors including the running costs, preference of the occupants, and the environmental benefits.

As the main intent of the programme is to replace solid fuel heating and to improve levels of thermal insulation, the overall impact of the programme will be to reduce the carbon tonnage produced.