Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 2 July 2009, when funding will be provided for the rural housing project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47904/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In response to my Department's call for proposals under the remedial works programme for 2009, Roscommon County Council submitted proposals for refurbishment works in respect of 11 houses in Boyle and 18 rural houses. The proposal for the project in Boyle was approved for inclusion in the new three year remedial works programme and my Department expects to make funding provision for this project under the 2010 allocations.

My Department had a number of concerns in relation to the county council's proposal for rural housing remedial works, including issues concerning the proposal's compliance with the criteria for the new remedial works programme. However, under my Department's new programme for the retrofitting and improvement of vacant properties introduced this year, for which some €20 million was allocated nationally in 2009, the council may use its allocation to improve these dwellings under its annual energy efficiency plan. I intend to increase the national provision for this scheme to €40 million in 2010 and allocations will be notified to local authorities as early as possible next year.