Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if provision, equivalent to the warmer homes scheme, is available to local authority tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15954/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Government's National Retrofitting Programme, my Department launched a new scheme for the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures in existing local authority dwellings in May 2009. This scheme provides grant funding up to €15,000 per unit for the upgrading of vacant units and occupied apartment complexes across the country, and sets local authorities the objective of achieving a C1 BER following the works.

Typically the range of works involved, depending on the unit, is as follows:

· Attic Insulation to meet current building regulation standards;

· Replacement of windows and external doors in compliance with current regulations;

· Air-tightness testing e.g. "blower-door" test and remedial action;

· Wall insulation [cavity, external cladding, internal improvement, as appropriate];

· Replacement of boilers over 10 years old with condensing boilers to current standards and installation of space and water heating controls;

· Installation of radon protection measures e.g. external sump;

· Any other measures as are required to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling.

Authorities were also requested to give consideration to the use of sustainable materials in delivering any improvements.

Over the course of 2009, my Department approved energy efficiency improvement works to some 1,155 units, of which approximately 750 were completed by the end of the year at a cost to the Exchequer of almost €11 million. The balance of these works is currently being delivered by local authorities.

To facilitate the expansion of this scheme in 2010, and in recognition of the importance of maintaining the local authority housing stock to a high standard, I have significantly increased the funding available to local authorities to €40 million. To ensure that this funding is used to best effect, the Department is reviewing its technical and administrative guidance on the scheme and is exploring options for the inclusion of occupied dwellings in the scheme. Overall the scheme is expected to deliver 2,000 improved units to BER of C1, where practicable in 2010.