Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that money was secured for an intensified inspection scheme for Dublin City Council, investigating private accommodation in parts of Dublin city, if he will provide funding for the local authority, Dublin City Council, to assist in opening and developing the many empty housing units in their charge, especially at a time of significant housing needs and long lists and in view of the fact that there are many persons currently out of work. [24283/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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This year my Department has allocated in excess of €56 million to Dublin City Council in respect of their 2013 social housing programme. This include s €31m for regeneration in both Ballymun and Dublin City and some € 9.8 million under the Remedial Works Scheme for the refurbishment of tenanted and vacant units in Liberty House and Bunratty, Phases 1 and 2.

Under my Department's social housing investment programme, local authorities are allocated funding each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. The programme includes a retrofitting measure aimed at improving the energy efficiency of older apartments and houses by reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building. In 2011 and 2012 t he retrofitting measure largely focused on improvement works to vacant houses with the objective of returning as many as possible of these dwellings to productive use and combating dereliction and associated anti-social behaviour. Over that period some 680 units were refurbished in the Dublin City Council area at a cost of almost €11.5 million .

This year my Department is placing greater emphasis on improving the living condition s and comfort levels for persons in tenanted properties . The enhancement of energy efficiency standards is a priority within my Department and I recently announced a revised energy retrofitting measure for 2013 which target grants at those older houses and apartments which lack adequate insulation and draught proofing. Local authorities are asked to pay particular attention to dwellings which accommodate older people and people with disabilities.

This retrofitting programme offers a very practical and cost-effective way for local authorities to improve the standard of their housing stock. The programme brings immediate as well as long-term benefits for the community as a whole in terms of sustaining and creating jobs , addressing fuel povert y and delivering a greener Ireland for the future.