Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of people assisted under the fuel poverty pilot scheme in Ballyfermot; the number of houses that have had work completed; the amount this project cost; the estimated impact on the individuals and locality; if a report has been drawn up on the project; if the project has been completed; and if there are plans to roll out this pilot to other disadvantaged areas. [26304/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's role in the pilot central heating scheme, which is being administered by Dublin City Council in association with Energy Action Ltd, relates mainly to the recoupment of a percentage of the cost of the works undertaken. The pilot scheme has operated under the framework of the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme with my Department recouping 80% of the cost of works to Dublin City Council and the authority providing the remaining 20% from its own resources. No recoupments have yet been made to Dublin City Council in respect of works carried out under the pilot scheme.

The pilot scheme provides for the installation of central heating systems, associated insulation works and energy advice to private households, occupied by older people, in Ballyfermot, Whitehall and Crumlin. In the Ballyfermot area, 61 dwellings are being facilitated under the pilot scheme.

I have been advised by Dublin City Council that the installation of central heating works has been completed in all the dwellings. The latest information received from Energy Action Ltd is that some 90% of dwellings have received insulation works and some 70% have received energy advice. It is expected that works to the remainder of the dwellings will be completed by the end of July.

An independent evaluation of the pilot scheme is currently underway and any proposals to extend it would have to be considered in the context of the outcome of that evaluation and the availability and most effective use of resources. The monument in question is in private ownership, and, accordingly, there is no basis on which I could draw up a conservation plan for it. However, it is included on the statutory Record of Monuments and Places issued for Tipperary South under reference TS073-007 and is thereby protected under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 2004.