asked the Minister for Local Government if he will provide further funds to Dublin Corporation to enable it to subsidise the tenants of corporation houses in Ballymun to enable them to meet the heavily increased charges for gas central heating.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gas Heating Charges.
13.
There are no funds available to me out of which I could enable Dublin Corporation to subsidise the cost to tenants of central heating in houses in Ballymun. As I indicated in reply to Question No. 12 on 20th June last, consultations are taking place in relation to increased fuel costs to tenants generally. These consultations are continuing with a view to finding means of assisting genuine cases of hardship.
Is the Minister aware that in some cases costs have increased by over 200 per cent?
Yes.
Does he not agree that this places an intolerable burden on people on social welfare and fixed incomes?
I agree there is a very big burden placed on people in houses or flats which are serviced only by central heating and I am taking steps to ensure that that sort of thing will not be allowed in future.
With whom is the Minister in consultation about this matter?
Discussions are taking place with the local authorities concerned.
Has the matter of increased heating costs in local authority houses been discussed by the Government? The Minister for Transport and Power promised a deputation I was on that he would bring the matter before the Government.
I suggest the Deputy puts down a question to the Minister for Transport and Power.
He has not taken any action.
The Minister in his reply mentioned that he intended that this practice should not occur in the future. Has he any ideas on how to alleviate the problem for those people already involved in this problem?
I am having considered the question of some type of open fire being provided even in houses already built. The only trouble is that it will cost a very large amount of money. A rough estimate has been given of £8 million to deal with local authority houses already in existence. I am sure Deputy Burke will appreciate therefore that it cannot be done overnight.
The Minister specifically mentioned houses. Has he any plans for the flats in Ballymun, for example?
I am sure the Deputy will agree that putting an open fire and a chimney in the flats in Ballymun would be an extremely difficult thing. It is rather a pity the people who put them there did not think of that.